The number of families affected by a huge fire in Barangay Alabang on March 17 rose to 700, according to the Muntinlupa City government.
Mayor Ruffy Biazon announced the new tally during the flag-raising ceremony at the Muntinlupa City hall on March 18.
The fire in Barangay Alabang, Muntinlupa on March 17 (Photos from the Muntinlupa City Fire Station, Muntinlupa City Department of Disaster Resilience and Management, Muntinlupa PIO)
Mayor Ruffy Biazon at the evacuation site for families affected by the fire in Alabang (Photos from the Muntinlupa PIO)
Based on the initial reports by the Muntinlupa City Fire Station and Muntinlupa City Department of Disaster Resilience and Management, the fire started at about 4:48 a.m. in Mariategue and Joaquin Compounds in Wawa, Alabang.
The fire, which lasted for nearly five hours, reached the second alarm at 7:22 a.m. before it was put under control at 9:06 a.m. and put out at 9:42 a.m.
The affected families are now staying at two evacuation sites: Alabang Elementary School and Pedro E. Diaz High School.
The Muntinlupa Social Services Department continued the mapping operation in the fire site to determine the number of families affected.
Biazon immediately ordered the provision of food and basic needs for the families.
The city government also announced that classes will be held at the schools being used as evacuation sites.
The school operations are not affected by this, according to the Muntinlupa Schools Division Office.