50 homes razed in Pasig blaze amid rising heat index
Nineteen cars caught fire at a parking area near Terminal 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) while at least 50 houses were razed in an early morning blaze in Pasig City on Monday.
This as the weather bureau forecast temperatures to rise to as high as 45 degrees Celsius today in several parts of the country.
The Manila International Airport Authority is investigating the cause of the blaze which witnesses hinted was started by grass fire.
MIAA general manager Eric Jose Ines said no one was hurt in the fire and flight operations at airport terminals remained unaffected by the incident.
“We don’t know yet where it started and how it started. The fire spread quickly because of the strong wind. Our people are still investigating. Right now, we are calling the attention of whoever is in charge here,” the airport chief said.
Ines said the damaged cars are primarily owned by airport employees.
In Pasig City, an early morning fire that reached the third alarm left at least 80 families homeless.
Earlier this month, rising heat levels due to the El Niño phenomenon also caused wildfires in various parts of Visayas and Mindanao.
Meanwhile, PAGASA also reported water levels to have dropped below normal levels in nine of the country’s dams in Luzon.
The water level in San Roque dam fell sharply from 280 to 231.08, followed by Pantabangan, 221 to 173.37, and Angat Dam from 212 to 191.29. Ambuklao’s water level went down from 752 to 740.
The water levels in Ipo and La Mesa dams, which supply water to Metro Manila, only slightly decreased.
Six out of 34 people may have died due to heat-related illnesses since January this year, the Department of Health said in a separate report.
The DOH said those who fell sick were from Central Visayas, Ilocos Region, and Soccsksargen in southern Mindanao.
The most number of cases of heat-related illness in recent years was in 2023, with 513 cases, said DOH.
As of 7 p.m. yesterday, PAGASA’s heat index showed that Roxas City and Zamboanga City may experience extreme heat levels at 45 degrees Celsius.
The weather bureau also said the following areas are forecast to have dangerous levels ranging from 43 to 44 degrees Celsius:
• Dagupan City, Pangasinan (44°C)
• Puerto Princesa City (44°C)
• Pili, Camarines Sur (44°C)
• Aborlan, Palawan (44°C)
• Virac, Catanduanes (44°C)
• Iloilo City (43°C)
• CLSU, Munoz, NE (43°C)
• Sangley Point, Cavite (43°C)
• San Jose, Occ. Mindoro (43°C)
• Butuan City (43°C)
• Cotabato City (43°C)
• Dipolog City (43°C)
The heat index is the measure of the temperature that a person feels, which is different from the actual air temperature. It is computed by factoring in the humidity as well as the air temperature.
The public should guard against heat-related illnesses such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke, the DOH said.
It also advised staying indoors between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline 19 cars catch fire at NAIA parking lot
