Three individuals, including an elderly couple, died in a fire that broke out in Tondo, Manila, on Thursday afternoon, March 20.
According to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the victims who died in the fire included a 45-year-old single male, and a married couple — a 78-year-old male and his 70-year-old wife.
Several people were also injured, including Reynaldo De Luna, a 20-year-old civilian who lost consciousness.
Three fire volunteers were also hurt: John Jerome Dumasig, 34, sustained abrasions to his left leg; Rodelio Banique, 47, experienced difficulty breathing; and Dexter Aniban, 32, suffered a lacerated wrist.
BFP said the fire was declared first alarm at 1:25 p.m. in a residential area at Reyes Street, Barangay 58.
The situation escalated quickly, and by 1:28 p.m., the second alarm was declared
Firefighters managed to put out the fire around 3 p.m.
The fire caused an estimated P800,000 in damages, destroying three homes and partially damaging three others.
The fire affected around 18 families or approximately 54 individuals.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.