Tondo fire leaves 2,000 families homeless

MANILA, Philippines — Around 2,000 families were left homeless after a six-hour fire destroyed about 1,000 shanties in Isla Puting Bato, Tondo, Manila yesterday morning.

In a report, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said the blaze started in a bakery at 7:59 a.m. It was declared under control at past 2 p.m.

According to the BFP, the lack of water and houses made of light materials made it difficult for firefighters to contain the fire.

Sixty-six firetrucks, four boats and two helicopters of the Philippine Air Force equipped with buckets were deployed to the site.

Two search and rescue boats were also dispatched by the Philippine Coast Guard to help extinguish the fire.

The displaced residents are taking shelter at the Delpan evacuation center.

Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna visited the affected families and distributed hot meals and modular tents.

Families could remain at the center until permanent housing solutions are arranged, Lacuna said.

“We will see if there is a place other than Isla Puting Bato where they can resettle because that is not safe for them,” she said.

Lacuna has requested the city council to declare Isla Puting Bato under a state of calamity.

The city government is committed to providing cash aid, food and construction materials, with support from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as well as other agencies, Lacuna noted.

The DSWD distributed food packs to fire victims. The agency also deployed its mobile command center to provide residents WiFi connectivity.

Meanwhile, another fire broke out near the Manila International Container Port yesterday.

Port operations remain normal, but motorists were advised to take alternate routes, the Philippine Ports Authority said.

Arson probers have yet to determine the cause of the fire. — Sheila Crisostomo, Evelyn Macairan