Tondo fire leaves 3,000 families homeless, 21 hurt

MANILA, Philippines - At least 3,000 families were left homeless in a 10-hour fire that razed the Parola Compound in Tondo, Manila on Tuesday night.

Arson probers said 21 people, including 16 firefighters were injured in the blaze that started at a three-story house in Barangay 20 at around 9:40 p.m.

Manila fire marshal Chief Inspector Marvin Carbonell said the blaze reached Task Force Delta before it was put out at 7:25 a.m. yesterday.

An unattended lighted candle could have caused the fire, according to the residents.

Carbonell said around 1,000 houses made of light materials were destroyed by the fire.

Damage to property was estimated at P6 million.

Senior Superintendent Rico Kwan Tiu, chief of the Bureau of Fire Protection National Capital Region, said fire trucks encountered difficulty in entering the site due to narrow streets.

Tiu said the residents became unruly at the height of the fire.

The blaze caused traffic jams along the southbound lane of Road 10 up to Roxas Boulevard, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority said.

Fire victims get aid

Mayor Joseph Estrada said the families affected by the fire were immediately given relief assistance such as food and other basic needs.

Estrada said the city government would distribute construction materials to help them rebuild their homes.

“We will conduct a bayanihan, to be led by the city engineering department, in constructing the houses,” he said.

Estrada mobilized personnel of the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, departments of social welfare and health to assist the fire victims.

More than 500 families are temporarily taking shelter at the Delpan sports complex. – With Jose Rodel Clapano