A residential fire that reached second alarm in San Andres, Manila, on Sunday evening, Oct. 19, has been declared under control, prompting the city’s disaster office to remind the public not to leave pets behind during emergencies.

The blaze, which started around 9 p.m., affected a residential building.

Firefighters from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) responded quickly, and additional units were dispatched as the fire spread through adjacent homes.

It was declared under control around 10:40 p.m. While no injuries or fatalities have been reported and authorities are still assessing the extent of damage.

Among those who responded to the scene was the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), which not only aided in the evacuation but also rescued several dogs that had been left behind by fleeing residents.

In a public advisory following the incident, the MDRRMO reminded the public to be mindful of their pets during emergencies:

“Nauunawaan po natin na ang oras at pagiging maagap ay napakahalaga sa insidente ng sunog. Ngunit huwag naman po sana nating makakaligtaan ang mga alaga natin. Parte po sila ng pamilya at kailangan din ng kaligtasan (We understand that time and urgency are critical during fire incidents. However, we hope that our pets are not forgotten. They are part of the family and also deserve safety).”

The incident highlights the often-overlooked importance of including pets in disaster preparedness and evacuation plans.

Authorities continue to assess the damage and are coordinating with local officials to support affected residents.