Two persons were injured, while 300 families were displaced in a fire that gutted 150 houses in front of Isetann Mall in Recto, Manila on Wednesday, Jan. 31.
The injured victims were identified as Norjanah Bansil who suffered dizziness due to smoke inhalation and Hendrix Daguioan, a firefighter who sustained second-degree burns on his left hand.
They were given first-aid treatment at the scene.
According to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the fire that broke out at C.M. Recto, Sta. Cruz was raised to the first alarm at 3:14 p.m. and was elevated to the second alarm at 3:15 p.m.
It escalated to the third alarm at 3:26 p.m. and the fourth alarm at 3:40 p.m.
The fire reached the fifth alarm at 3:46 p.m. before it was declared under control at 5:24 p.m.
Firemen, volunteers, and residents joined forces to contain the blaze, which was finally extinguished at 7:56 p.m.
Based on the investigation, the fire allegedly started on the fourth floor of a shanty residential building.
According to residents, the fire spread quickly because the houses were closely adjacent.
The BFP recorded at least 300 families or 600 individuals affected in the incident
Some of the affected families stayed at relatives' houses, while others slept on the sidewalk.
The incident caused heavy traffic along Recto Avenue and Quezon Boulevard.
Motorists were advised to avoid these roads and take alternate routes to give way for fire trucks and avoid traffic congestion.
Meanwhile, LRT-2 management was quick to implement provisionary services and temporarily closed the Recto station.
It resumed operation on Thursday morning, Feb. 1.
Members of Manila-Department of Social Welfare (DSW) are currently at the scene to conduct onsite validation of the families affected, the city government said.