Tondo fire victims appeal for help

MANILA, Philippines – Victims of the massive fire that struck Tondo, Manila at the height of New Year’s Eve celebrations yesterday appealed for help.

Residents of Barangays 155 and 160 were not able to salvage their belongings.

The fire victims said they barely slept during their first night in the streets of Tondo.

Most of the affected residents were staying in makeshift tents, jeepneys or pedicabs braving occasional rains and the cold weather.

They appealed for cooked food, drinking water, flashlights, underwear, toiletries, medical supplies and school uniforms for children.

They also appealed for construction materials so they can rebuild their homes, Barangay 155 chairman Zaldy Bernabe said.

Ana Gebilaguin, 55, a sweepstakes collector, told The STAR she and her relatives are staying in a jeepney because they could not afford to rent a room.

Judy Ponce, a 40-year-old mother, said her family is temporarily staying with their relatives.

Two people were killed in the blaze that reached the general alarm.

Arson investigators said the fire started from a watusi. The firecracker hit an unoccupied house along Raja Bago street in Barangay 155 at 3 a.m. on Friday.

The blaze quickly spread along the streets of Laon Nasa, M. Dizon and Dagupan extension. It raged for three hours before it was contained by firefighters.

Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada distributed food packs to the fire victims yesterday and promised to help them rebuild their homes.