Over 140 houses gutted, 1,800 people left homeless in Tondo fire
Updated on March 22, 2024 at 5:40 p.m.
MANILA, Philippines — A fire destroyed about 140 houses and displaced around 1,800 people in Tondo, Manila, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) reported Friday.
The blaze broke out in Building 29, Aroma Temporary Building in Barangay 105, on Thursday evening and was brought under control by 12:44 a.m. Friday, before being declared out at 5:26 a.m.
READ: Fire hits residential area in Tondo, Manila
The fire reportedly started on the second floor of a temporary residential building and spread to nearby shanties. The cause is still under investigation.
The BFP estimated the fire damage at P6.5 million. Although no fatalities were reported, a fire volunteer sustained a laceration on his finger, and another suffered a foot puncture.
There were social media posts claiming that some residents in the area allegedly physically attacked the fire responders on the scene.
The Bureau of Fire Protection says that the residential fire that broke out on Aroma St., Happyland, Brgy. 150 Tondo, Manila, on Thursday evening was extinguished at 5 a.m. today. (Photo courtesy of Manila DRRM Office Facebook)
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However, Manila Police District spokesperson Major Philipp Ines told INQUIRER.net that investigators found no injured fire authorities upon visiting hospitals in the area.
“According to our investigator—those posts on social media—they went to the hospitals but found nothing. The only incident we had was that the windshield of a fire truck was broken,” Ines said over the phone.
“Until now, no one has reported anything, and we’re just waiting for whoever will complain. What is that? Was it an accident, or was breaking the windshield intentional? But as for the injured, we haven’t seen anyone like that. They visited the hospitals that were mentioned, but there was none,” he added.
The Bureau of Fire Protection says that the residential fire that broke out on Aroma St., Happyland, Brgy. 150 Tondo, Manila, on Thursday evening was extinguished at 5 a.m. today. (Photo courtesy of Manila DRRM Office Facebook)
