A structural fire of still undetermined origin broke out Thursday evening in a seedy neighborhood in Tondo, Manila, leaving more than 300 families lost their homes, while some ships berthed closed to the area were likewise damaged as they could not leave because of the low tide at the time.
Nobody was reported injured in the incident.
The Bureau of Fire Protection in Manila said the blaze, which gutted houses in Block 17 of the Baseco Compound in the Port Area, started at about 6 p.m. and was tapped out by 9:30 p.m. The fire allegedly started at the second floor of a house on the Pasig riverside.
Arson investigators said at least 100 houses were destroyed and more than P1 million worth of property went up in smoke.
“Agad nilang tinawagan ang BFP para humingi ng tulong, habang inalertuhan naman ang mga barko at iba pang sasakyang pandagat na malapit sa pinangyarihan ng sunog (They immediately called the BFP to ask for help and alerted ships and other maritime vessels nearby),” the Philipppine Coast Cuard (PCG) said.
At least 10 PCG assets were deployed to help put out the fire, in addition to the Quick Response Team of the PCG Auxiliary101st Squadron.
Both the PCG and the BFP are assessing the extent of the damage caused by the fire with a view to providing aid to the affected families.
Photos by Norman Cruz, Danny Pata and AFP