Massive fire hits neighborhood in Tondo

MANILA, Philippines — A fire gutted a huge residential community in Tondo, Manila yesterday.

Buildings 23 to 27 of the Aroma housing site in the area of Vitas were gutted by the fire that started at 11:44 a.m., according to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).

Third alarm was raised at 11:56 a.m. and to fifth alarm at 12:13 p.m.

It was eventually elevated to Task Force Alpha at 12:24 p.m. and Task Force Bravo at 1:33 p.m.

The BFP reported personnel onboard 14 fire trucks from the Manila Fire District and 17 others from neighboring fire districts helped to extinguish the massive blaze.

Residents rushed to save whatever they could, whether appliances or pet animals, according to radio reports.

They sought shelter in available open spaces such as gasoline stations and even the center island of Road 10 or the Mel Lopez Boulevard.

The fire caused traffic gridlock especially affecting trucks going in and out of ports in Manila, as well as those traveling to the cities of Caloocan and Navotas, while firefighting efforts were ongoing.

A helicopter from the Philippine Air Force 505th Search and Rescue Brigade also came to the rescue, dousing water from its huge bucket while flying atop the area of the fire, according to an update from the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.

Authorities have yet to declare fire out, but radio reports said gray and white smoke was seen billowing from the fire area before 4 p.m.

An estimated 1,000 families were left homeless by the fire, according to radio reports citing Senior Inspector Alejandro Ramos, chief investigator of the Manila Fire District.

Seven residents sustained minor injuries, he added.

Nine tenement-type buildings were razed by the fire, while three neighboring houses were partially damaged.