About 1,950 families were displaced in a fire that gutted twelve tenement buildings on Road 10 in Tondo, Manila on Saturday, September 14.
According to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the fire started at 11:45 a.m. and was immediately raised to second alarm at 11:46 a.m.
It escalated to third alarm at 11:56 a.m.
Firefighters said the fire had already spread on the second floor of Tenement Building 27, when they arrived at the scene.
It was raised to fourth and fifth alarms at 12:13 p.m.
The blaze reached Task Force Alpha at 12:24 p.m. and Task Force Bravo at 1:33 p.m.
BFP said the fire gutted around 12 tenement buildings and three houses. It added that the affected structures were made of light materials.
Authorities also said that at least seven residents sustained minor burns as they tried to enter their burning houses to get their belongings.
Ambulances, tankers and pumpers from Philippine Red Cross and Manila Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office were also on the ground to offer assistance.
A helicopter from the Philippine Air Force was also seen flying back and forth to pour water on the burning buildings.
Motorists were advised to take alternate routes as the incident had caused heavy traffic blocking the incoming firetrucks.
Fire volunteers said the fire was declared under control at 6:20 p.m.
It took 13 hours before the fire was finally extinguished at 12:17 a.m. on September 15.
Investigators said around P2.5 million worth of properties were damaged in the fire.
The cause of the fire remains unknown, BFP said.
Meanwhile, Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan and Vice Mayor John Marvin "Yul Servo" Nieto arrived at the scene around 5:30 p.m. to check the situation of the fire victims.
They led the members of Manila DRRMO and City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) to provide immediate assistance such as hot meals, modular tents and other basic needs to the affected residents.
"Agarang kumilos ang mga departamento ng city hall para tiyaking maayos ang kalagayan ng mga apektadong residente (The city hall departments acted immediately to ensure that the affected residents are well)," she said.
"Ginagawa namin ang lahat ng makakaya para matulungan ang mga pamilyang naapektuhan ng trahedyang ito. Asahan ninyong ang pamahalaang lungsod ng Maynila ay magbibigay ng agarang tulong, mula sa pagkain, pansamantalang tirahan, at iba pang mga pangunahing pangangailangan. Hindi namin pababayaan ang sinuman sa muling pagbangon mula sa hindi inaasahang pangyayaring ito (We are doing everything we can to help the families affected by this tragedy. Expect the city government of Manila to provide immediate assistance, from food, temporary shelter, and other basic needs. We will not leave anyone to recover from this unexpected event)," she added.
Based on the latest bulletin submitted by the Department of Social Welfare Department -National Capital Region (DSWD-NCR), the number of the affected families has reached 1,950.
The evacuations centers, she said, will be located in covered courts of Barangay 105 and 106 and Vicente Lim Elementary School in Tondo.
"Hihintayin namin ang resulta ng imbestigasyon ng fire forensics team at mga rekomendasyon ng Bureau of Fire Protection upang masigurong hindi na maulit ang ganitong mga insidente (We will wait for the results of the investigation by the fire forensics team and the recommendations of the Bureau of Fire Protection to ensure that such incidents do not happen again)," said Lacuna-Pangan.