Children distressed by QC fire incident receive psychological first aid
Children distressed by a fire that broke out in Barangay Balingasa and Barangay Apolonio Samson in Quezon City received additional psychological first aid (PFA) from the Philippine Red Cross (PRC).

In a statement, PRC said that 59 children participated in child-friendly activities designed and hosted by PRC staff and volunteers.
Sixty families or 367 individuals were also served hot meals, received bread loaves, and taught hygiene promotion activities.
These activities were held last Sept. 14 to 15 at Balingasa Covered Court and San Francisco Elementary School which served as evacuation centers for the victims.
The fire incident, which happened on Sept. 6 at 10:17 a.m., reached the third alarm and affected 47 houses.
It was declared fire out at 2:56 p.m.

PRC said that firefighters and an ambulance with emergency medical personnel were dispatched to the scene as per the directive of PRC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Richard Gordon.
Initial PFA was already given to 114 adults and children after the incident and residents who suffered from minor injuries were treated by PRC medical personnel.
"Lubhang importante ang emergency response unit at emergency medical services sa mga komunidad. Laging handa ang aming firefighters at EMS personnel para rumesponde sa mga kalamidad katulad ng sunog (Emergency response units and emergency medical services are highly important to communities. Our firefighters and EMS personnel are always ready to respond at emergencies like fire)," said Gordon.
PRC said that Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte expressed her gratitude for the organization's initiative.