A fire hit a vape shop in Barangay South Cembo, Taguig, affecting five families.
According to the Taguig City Fire Station, the blaze razed the Darzen Vape Shop at the corner of Gen. Luna and P. Gomez Streets at about 10:51 p.m. on April 20.


A fireman extinguishing the fire at a vape shop in Barangay South Cembo, Taguig (Photos from the United Mandaluyong Ilaya Brotherhood Fire Rescue Volunteer Inc. Facebook page)
The fire damaged P250,000 worth of property and was put out at 11:01 p.m.
Three houses were destroyed by the fire, affecting five families or 15 individuals. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
A total of four fire trucks and two ambulances responded to the incident.
Meanwhile, the Taguig City government ordered the closure of three vape shops for alleged violation of City Ordinance No. 15 passed in 2017, or the Comprehensive Smoke-Free Ordinance.
The Taguig Business Permits and Licensing Office closed the vape shops in Barangays Sta. Ana, Hagonoy, and Lower Bicutan.
The city government said the vape shops violated the perimeter requirement for selling, advertising, and promoting vape products. Each one was within 100 meters of schools, public playgrounds, health facilities, and hospitals.
It added that the three vape shops were operating without valid business permits issued by the city government.
The city government said all business owners, particularly vape shop operators, must submit for inspection to the Smoke Free Task Force before they start their operations.