MANILA, Philippines — At least 803 people were evacuated in Valenzuela City as a fire that started in Barangay Bagbaguin reached its second day yesterday.
The 803, who come from 215 families, are staying in evacuation centers as a preemptive measure.
According to the city’s public information office, 26 families from Barangay Bagbaguin sought shelter in A. Mariano Elementary School, 31 families from Barangay Paso de Blas are in the 3S Center Multipurpose Hall, 117 families are in Pedro L. Santiago Elementary School while 41 families are in Barangay Canumay East 3S covered court.
The fire, which started at around 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, remains under Task Force Bravo and is yet to be extinguished by firefighters.
“We took a preemptive measure. We were able to evacuate 803 individuals. We continued (the evacuation) until midnight… The four evacuation centers are full,” Mayor Wes Gatchalian said in Filipino during a dzBB interview.
Yesterday, Gatchalian met with members of the city’s social welfare and development office, the BFP, the city’s workers’ affairs office, members of the city’s disaster risk reduction management office and the three captains from the barangays affected by the hours-long fire.
The meeting focused on the welfare of displaced workers affected by the fire and the residents staying in evacuation centers.
Meanwhile, the BFP reported six responders who suffered lacerations, blisters and punctures on fingers.
Arson probers estimated the fire damage between P35 million and P50 million, according to earlier reports.
Another blaze breaks out
Also in Valenzuela, a second fire broke out at a factory in Barangay Canumay West yesterday morning.
According to the BFP, the fire started in the warehouse of the factory at around 8:35 a.m.
Firefighters, coming from the hours-long fire in Barangay Bagbaguin, declared the second blaze under control at around 9:28 a.m.
The fire reached third alarm just before 9 a.m. and was extinguished at around 10:15 a.m.
According to the city’s public information office, the factory is owned by Virces General Construction Co.
Arson probers have yet to determine what caused the fire and the estimated amount of damage.