A residential fire leaves hundreds without homes as it reached the 4th alarm. Fire out was declared at 9:46 p.m. Photo courtesy of The Manila Bulletin.
Fire has once again impacted Manila grounds. Barangay 650, a residential area in Intramuros, Manila was swept by fire on Saturday afternoon, August 5.
According to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the fire started around 4:57 p.m. Later on the fourth alarm was raised at 5:16 p.m. A total of 14 fire trucks were deployed in response to the fire disturbance.
At 8:13 p.m. the BFP announced the fire was under control. It lasted for almost five hours before it was declared out at 9:49 p.m.
Reports have estimated 100 families lost their homes. Most affected families temporarily took shelter on the streets, waiting for assistance from authorities.
“Nag-iisip pa kami kung saan ho kami’y tutuloy. Walang financial, wala. Ang panawagan ko ngayon tulungan kami ng gobyerno,” fire victim Muslimen Macabada said in an interview with ABS-CBN news.
A total of 60 houses made of light construction materials were destroyed by the fire. Investigators are yet to determine its origin.
The local government unit (LGU) of Manila has guaranteed their immediate aid to the distressed population.
On Sunday morning, The Manila Department of Social Welfare provided them assistance with hot meals.
No reports of casualties or injuries have been reported, so far.