The blind rage of a man who allegedly caught his wife with another man reportedly resulted in a massive fire that overwhelmed a residential area in Intramuros, Manila, on Wednesday, Feb. 25, leaving hundreds of families homeless and causing an estimated ₱1.5 million in damage.

The blaze, which escalated to fourth alarm, tore through at least 300 houses in the densely populated Maisan area, sending thick black smoke into the Manila skyline and forcing residents to flee as flames spread rapidly across tightly packed homes.

Authorities and eyewitnesses said a man identified only as alias Burnok, an ex-convict in his mid-30s with a history of robbery cases and repeated jail stints, had reportedly just been released from detention the night before, only to discover his wife with another man.

In a fit of jealousy and rage, Burnok allegedly rushed out of the house and later returned carrying a container filled with gasoline, reportedly sourced from his father’s truck.

Overcome by anger, he was said to have poured gasoline in and around his home, located on the fourth floor of a residential building, before setting it ablaze. The fire quickly spread to the upper floors, reached the rooftop, and then fanned out to other residences in the tightly packed community.

The fire moved faster than residents could react.

Thick smoke engulfed nearby streets as burning debris rained down on houses built of light materials, accelerating the spread of the blaze.

Families, including students, workers, and small vendors, scrambled to escape, carrying children, documents, pets, and whatever belongings they could save.

Firefighters faced significant challenges containing the inferno due to limited water supply, water storage constraints, and narrow access roads, slowing suppression operations as crews struggled to prevent the flames from spreading further.

The blaze raged for more than six hours before it was finally declared out at 11:30 p.m., displacing around 600 families at the height of the emergency.

Tensions among residents soon escalated as the scale of destruction became clear.

Before police could intervene, enraged neighbors attacked the suspect, nearly killing him, before responding officers from the Manila Police District were able to take him into custody.

“Sana pinatay na lang niya yung pinagseselosan niya. Andami naming nadamay (He should have just killed the person he was jealous of. So many of us were affected),” said one resident.

Another victim, Maricel, 36, added, “Kilala dito ‘yon, may mga anak siya, buntis pa yung isa, di na siya naawa (He is known here. He has children, and one is even pregnant. He showed no mercy).”

As night fell, hundreds of displaced residents sought temporary shelter at the Delpan Sports Complex, while San Agustin Church set up tents outside to distribute hot meals and emergency assistance to affected families.

Even by around 11 p.m., smoke and glowing embers continued to rise into the evening sky as firefighters worked to contain the blaze fully.

Barangay 655 Chairman Johny Yacub said relief operations remain ongoing while authorities continue assessing damages and investigating the incident.

The fire, believed to have been fueled by jealousy and a moment of uncontrolled rage, has left a lasting scar on Intramuros, forcing hundreds of families to begin again from nothing.