MASSIVE FIRE HITS 2,000 FAMILIES IN ISLA PUTING BATO IN TONDO

A fire razed a residential area in Isla Puting Bato in Tondo, Manila on Sunday morning where at least 2,000 families were left homeless after a massive fire tore through the slum area according to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).

A massive fire engulfs a residential area in Isla Puting Bato, Tondo, Manila on Sunday morning reaching the third alarm level (Photo courtesy of Philippine Star)

In a report, fire authorities said the blaze started around 8 a.m. and reached the first alarm at 8:02 a.m. It reached the third alarm by 8:10 a.m. and fifth alarm shortly after at 8:16 a.m. At 11:51 a.m., authorities have raised the fire alarm to the third alarm level, also known as Task Force "Charlie" prompting a response from fire marshals across the entire Metro Manila region.

Under Task Force Charlie, it is estimated that the fire affects a significant portion of the area, with 32 or more firetrucks expected to respond. A helicopter from the Philippine Air Force also assisted in scooping water from Manila Bay to help extinguish the fire from the air, while four additional fire boats were utilized.

The Philippine Coast Guard said its Coast Guard Station Manila and Special Operations Unit (SOU) – Malacañang also helped in putting the fire out and rescuing residents. Personnel of the Philippine National Police and Philippine Army were also on site to help maintain peace and order.

The Philippine Ports Authority with the International Container Terminal Services also led the rescue operations for the affected residents. 

Many of the residents of Isla Puting Bato took to the waters of Manila Bay to escape the blaze that consumed their community. Some residents tried to save whatever belongings they could taking to the water on makeshift rafts amid the thick black smoke seen rising from the affected community.

The affected area is adjacent to the container terminal of the Port Area and reached the houses right beside Manila Bay. 

The blaze was declared fire out at 4:07 p.m. according to the BFP. The fire started on the second floor of a house in Purok Tres but authorities are still investigating the cause of the blaze.

According to Senior Inspector Alejandro Ramos, intelligence and investigation chief of the Manila Fire Department, the blaze destroyed approximately a thousand homes. most of the homes in the area were made of light, combustible materials, as many residents are informal settlers. 

The strong winds in the coastal community also contributed to the rapid spread of the fire. Aside from that, authorities said the streets are very narrow, and the walls in the area particularly those along the MICT (Manila International Container Terminal) are very high.

Based on the report, the fire left about P3.5 million worth of damage. Authorities are still finding out the number of casualties, although several firefighters sustained injuries.

Source: GMA Integrated News 

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