Two women were injured while 500 families were displaced by a fire that razed 250 houses in Barangay 310, Sta. Cruz, Manila, on Wednesday night, Nov. 27, until Thursday morning, Nov. 28.
According to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Marina Lagrimas, 69, suffered second-degree and first-degree burns, while Janine Trinio, 25, was treated for breathing difficulty.
BFP reported that the fire was raised to first alarm at 9:41 p.m. and to second alarm at 9:46 p.m.
Some roads near the incident were temporarily closed to give way for the water hose and incoming fire trucks.
BFP raised the fire to fifth alarm at 10:25 p.m. as it rapidly spread and was reportedly fueled by the explosion of several LPG tanks.
Fire officials were able to put the blaze under control at 1:49 a.m. on Thursday, but it was not fully extinguished at 6:24 a.m.
Based on the initial investigation, the incident caused an estimated P3.75 million in damages.
Local authorities evacuated 500 families or around 1,500 individuals and gave them hot meals.