A fire devastates an informal settlers area in Barangay Tatalon in Quezon City on Friday, April 7, 2023. (Photos by Jean Mangaluz)
MANILA, Philippines — A fire greeted the residents of Barangay Tatalon, Quezon City, in an informal settler area on Good Friday.
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) reported that the area was safe despite the fire’s proximity to a gas station, as the pumps were located some distance from the informal settlement.
According to the BFP, the fire broke out at 12:20 p.m. and reached the 2nd alarm by 12:38 p.m.
“Ayon sa ating mga imbestigador, ang pinagmulan, ang sinasabi po nila, ay maaari po doon sa mayroong nagluluto, nagluluto po. So yun po yung lead natin ngayon, yung sinusundan natin,” said city marshal Ssupt. Aristotle Bañaga.
(Our investigators believe the cause may be related to cooking, which is currently our primary lead.)
In the informal settlement, lightweight materials like plywood made houses vulnerable to rapid fire spread.
The BFP reported at least five injuries, their wounds ranging from lacerations, punctures, abrasions and concussions.
Around 30 to 40 households were ravaged by the blaze, Bañaga said. The cost of damage is unknown as of writing.
A fire devastates an informal settlers area in Barangay Tatalon in Quezon City on Friday, April 7, 2023. (Photo by Jean Mangaluz)
Fire out was declared at 2:53 p.m., said the BFP.
Bañaga encouraged public vigilance against fires during Holy Week, stressing people not to leave their homes unattended.
“Yung kanilang mga appliances, bunitin nila. Isa rin po ito na pwede galingan ng mga sunog. At doble ingat po tayo ngayon, huwag na natin iniiwan ang ating mga linuluto,” he said.
(Their appliances, unplug it. This is one of the things that can start a fire. Take extra precaution, don’t leave your cooking unattended.)