Fire hits Tondo residential area, 30 families left homeless

(Updated) Around 30 families were left homeless after a third-alarm fire broke out in a residential area in Tondo, Manila on Monday afternoon.

The fire burned down around 10 houses made of light materials in Inocencio Varona Capulong, Tondo, Manila, radio station DZMM Radyo Patrol reported.

Smoke could be seen in the area around 1:30 p.m. according to emergency dispatch server TXTFire Philippines.

The fire immediately reached 2nd alarm at 1:39 p.m., DZMM Radyo Patrol reported. At 1:50 p.m., the fire was raised to 3rd alarm.

Firemen who responded reportedly had a hard time penetrating the area with narrow pathways, but the heavy downpour prevented the fire from spreading.

Firemen declared the fire under control at 2:21 p.m. and was put out at 3:16 p.m., TXTFire Philippines reported.

Investigators from the Bureau of Fire Protection have yet to determine the cause of the fire, but residents said this was the second time a fire hit the area.

Roughly P100,000 worth of properties were destroyed by the fire according to authorities. JE