Three people were injured while at least 10 families were affected by a fire that broke out at an apartment building along Tanque Street and United Nations Avenue in Barangay 644-A, Paco, Manila, early Monday morning, Feb. 9.
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said the blaze started on the second floor of the apartment building and was raised to a first alarm around 2 a.m.
The fire was declared under control shortly before 3 a.m. and was fully extinguished soon after, preventing it from escalating to a higher alarm.
Some residents said they heard a loud explosion moments before smelling smoke from the fire.
Affected families were temporarily displaced as authorities conducted clearing and safety operations in the area.