Two people were injured in a fire that gutted at least 150 houses at Block 8 Extension, Barangay 649, Baseco Compound in Port Area, Manila on Friday, Feb. 17.
The Manila Police District (MPD) identified the injured as Jepoy Jorita, a resident in the area, and Von Cyprez, a responding firefighter from Philippine Red Cross (PRC).
The Manila DRRMO Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) said the victims sustained minor injuries and were immediately given first aid.
According to an initial report from the Bureau of Fire and Protection (BFP), the fire started at 1:00 p.m. and was raised to the first alarm at 1:04 p.m. on Friday.
It escalated to second alarm at 1:14 p.m. and reached the third alarm at 1:24 p.m.
The fire was put under control at 2:08 p.m. and extinguished at 3:19 p.m.
Manila Department of Social Welfare (MDSW) said around 150 families were affected by the fire, and 79 of them or 318 individuals were brought to an evacuation center near Corazon C. Aquino High School.
The Manila City local government provided hot meals and modular tents to the victims.
Arson probers are still investigating the cause of the fire.