More than 1,000 families were affected by a fire that broke out early Tuesday in Market-3 at the Navotas Fishport Complex, Northbay Boulevard North, a fire official said.
No casualties were reported at presstime, but Senior Supt. Wilberto Neil Kwan Tiu, Bureau of Fire Protection-National Capital Region director, said at least three persons, including a fire volunteer, were hurt and were being treated at the Navotas District Hospital. The victims’ names were not immediately available, he said.
Navotas Mayor John Rey Tiangco said affected families were temporarily housed at the nearby covered court and vacant lot, as the local social welfare office gave them aid.
hellfire Monday night, a week before it celebrates its foundation day. Manny Palmero
Witnesses told Manila Standard there could be casualties from the fire, as some people were overheard asking for help, but there was no prompt response because the fire got too big for firefighters to handle.
The fire struck a few minutes before 4 a.m. at a “booking area” of a house at Block -9 in Market-3. It suddenly engulfed the area, razing 600 houses made mostly of light materials, firemen said.
It was the first fire to strike the Camanava area this month, fire officials said.
Some residents told mediamen that the house where the fire was believed to have started was being “rented” by drug users having a pot session. While this was being verified, Tiu said an investigation will focus on if the fire could have started in this house.
