Massive fires hit two residential areas in Tondo and Port Area in Manila on Wednesday morning, April 23.

The first fire was reported in Barangay 650, Port Area, at 12:04 a.m. 

The blaze escalated, prompting authorities to raise the first and second alarms simultaneously at 12:04 a.m. 

By 12:08 a.m., the situation had worsened, followed closely by a fourth alarm at 12:09 a.m.

The Bureau of Fire Protection said the fire showed no signs of slowing down, and by 12:16 a.m., the fifth alarm was issued. 

Just eight minutes later, at 12:24 a.m., the situation escalated further to Task Force Alpha, mobilizing additional firefighting units and resources to the scene. 

Authorities said the fire was extinguished almost seven hours later at 6:59 a.m.

According to initial assessments, the fire caused an estimated P400,000 in damages and displaced around 300 families, or roughly 1,000 individuals.

While responders were still working to contain the Port Area fire, a second blaze broke out in Moriones Street, Road 10, Barangay 123 in Tondo at 1:56 a.m. 

The fire rapidly escalated, reaching the second alarm by 1:59 a.m. and the third alarm by 2 a.m. just four minutes after it started.

The fourth alarm was raised at 2:11 a.m., followed by the fifth alarm at 2:23 a.m. 

By 3:01 a.m., the fire had spread significantly, and the authorities raised it to Task Force Alpha.

The BFP said the situation was increasingly critical, and raised to Task Force Bravo at 3:18 a.m., and eventually escalated to Task Force Charlie at 3:32 a.m.

Around 7:09 a.m., the fire was declared under control and was finally extinguished at 11:05 a.m.

The two fires involved residential communities, which led to large-scale evacuations and the immediate deployment of emergency units. 

Initial assessment showed that around 2,000 families were affected by the fire, while P10 million worth of properties were damaged. 

Rescue and disaster response teams arrived on-site to assist affected residents.