By: Sophia Pacheco
Residents watch as a fourth-alarm fire devastates a residential property near the corner of Onyx and Radium streets in Sta. Ana, Manila, on Tuesday. Photo courtesy of Philstar Global.
A devastating fire broke out in Barangay 775, Sta. Ana, Manila, leaving over 300 families homeless, on Tuesday, Oct. 15.
The Bureau of Fire Protection – National Capital Region (BFP-NCR) reported that the fire originated in a three-storey house, and a left-behind candle is believed to be the cause of fire that reached the fourth alarm level.
The fire caused three injuries, two BFP firefighters, and a civilian, who were brought to Sta. Ana Hospital.
According to the BFP, the fire took at least 100 homes — more than 3 million pesos worth of property.
The fire started at 6:06 am, which was fully extinguished at 12:10 pm. Residents used buckets of water to put out the fire themselves before help arrived.
The firefighters said that the narrow pathways were the reason for the delay.
The families are now being housed in evacuation centers, and recovery plans are underway to help them rebuild their lives.
No casualties were reported, though the cause of the fire is still under investigation.