A devastating fire ripped through Barangay 123 in Tondo, Manila early Wednesday morning, destroying hundreds of homes and affecting thousands of residents.
According to reports, the fire broke out shortly before 2 a.m. and escalated rapidly, prompting the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to raise the alarm to Task Force Bravo by 3:18 a.m. and then to Task Force Charlie by 3:32 a.m.
The blaze engulfed the residential area quickly, with nearly 100 fire trucks from the BFP and volunteer groups dispatched to contain the flames. Firefighters were seen climbing rooftops to extinguish the fire, as residents tried to salvage their belongings and help control the blaze.
BFP-NCR spokesperson Fire Senior Superintendent Bonifacio Carta confirmed that approximately 500 houses were destroyed, leaving around 1,500 families displaced.
One resident was injured after jumping from his window, catching his foot on a wire. Before escaping, he managed to toss his child safely to a neighbor who caught her.
The fire was declared under control by 7:09 a.m. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, and officials have yet to release an estimate of property damage.
In the aftermath, affected residents have taken temporary shelter at the barangay covered court. Meanwhile, Mel Lopez Boulevard northbound from Moriones Street remains closed to traffic due to emergency response activities and displaced residents occupying the road.