A huge fire in Parola, Tondo and protest actions in front of the US Embassy along Roxas Boulevard in Manila caused heavy traffic in the area on Friday, March 6.

The Manila Police District (MPD) said traffic management and police visibility operations were deployed at around 9:20 a.m. near the U.S. Embassy, where protesters from groups including Bahaghari, Gabriela, Anakbayan, and the Moro-Christian People’s Alliance gathered, denouncing the ongoing Middle East conflict.

Meanwhile, the Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau (MTPB) reported severe traffic on roads leading to Road 10 where firefighting operations were ongoing as of press time after the blaze reached the fourth alarm and rendered 349 families living in Gates 9 to 12 of Parola Compound in Barangay 20, homeless.

The Manila International Container Terminal (MICT) announced that the fire has been declared “fire out,” but efforts to clear the South Access Road for incoming and outgoing traffic were still ongoing.

The Manila City Government, through its Department of Social Welfare (MDSW), has distributed aid and other forms of assistance to residents affected by the fire.

MDSW Director Jay Dela Fuente said the fire victims are currently staying at Delpan Covered Court, where modular tents have been set up by the city government for them to stay.

"Sa kasalukuyan ay nagpapatuloy ang assessment at validation ng mga apektadong pamilya, gayundin ang pamamahagi ng hot meals upang matiyak na may agarang pagkain ang mga evacuees habang sila ay nasa evacuation area (Currently, assessment and validation of affected families are ongoing, as well as the distribution of hot meals to ensure that evacuees have immediate food while they are in the evacuation area)," Dela Fuente said, ensuring residents that the city government is ready to help them during this time of need.

According to the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), the fire started at around 1:18 a.m. and quickly reached the second alarm at 1:24 a.m., the third alarm at 1:31 a.m., and the fourth alarm at 1:59 a.m.

The fire was declared out at around 5:46 a.m.

Firefighters said the blaze quickly spread to other houses, as most of the structures in the area were built from light materials.

Officials from Barangay 20 said the fire caused P800,000 worth of damages.

No one was reported hurt in the blaze.

Late Thursday night, March 5, a fire broke out in a residential area along Sampaguita Street, Kahilom I, Barangay 871 in Pandacan, Manila, prompting the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to raise the alarm to second alarm.

Initial reports said the blaze started in the densely populated community, forcing residents to evacuate their homes as firefighters rushed to the scene to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby houses.

According to the MDRRMO, the fire was first raised to the first alarm at 10:28 p.m. and escalated to the second alarm at 10:35 p.m.

Firefighters were able to place the blaze under control at around 11 p.m. and later declared fire out at 11:06 p.m.

Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the fire, as well as the number of families affected and the estimated damage to property.