Three Injured in Manila Fire, hundreds Displaced
Manila, Philippines – A fire ripped through a residential area in Happy Land, barangay 105, Tondo, Manila, on Saturday night, injuring three people and displacing approximately 900 families. The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) successfully extinguished the blaze by Sunday morning, with Task Force Bravo declaring the situation under control at 10:53 p.m. on Saturday.
Fortunately, the BFP confirmed no fatalities resulted from the fire.Residents have begun returning to their homes to assess the damage and salvage belongings, according to a report from GMA Integrated News reporter EJ Gomez.
One resident told reporters the recent fire caused more extensive damage than a previous blaze that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. Firefighters attributed the rapid spread of the fire to the prevalence of homes constructed from light materials and the presence of nearby junk shops.
The fire also caused damage to essential infrastructure, including water lines, pipes, and electrical lines. The BFP estimates the total damage at approximately P1.5 million (roughly $26,700 USD).
The Manila local government unit (LGU) is currently assisting affected residents, who are appealing for aid from the national government.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by authorities.