More than 200 families were rendered homeless after a fire of still unknown origin razed a densely populated area Friday afternoon in Barangay San Antonio, Parañaque City.
Seven persons were reported hurt in the blaze, which started on the ground floor of a two-story residential building owned by one “June” along Masthead Street, Area 1 in Fourth Estate of the said barangay around 5:30 p.m.
Reports from the Bureau of Fire Protection-National Capital Region showed that most of the victims suffered difficulty in breathing and minor injuries such as lacerations and abrasions.
The fire, which reached the 5th alarm status, quickly spread, affecting more than 75 houses and destroying at least P800,000 worth of property.
More than 20 government fire trucks and 31 from private fire volunteers responded and put out the blaze after three hours.
Arson investigators have not yet determined the cause of the blaze.
Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez and Rep. Eric Olivarez immediately visited the area Friday night to ensure affected residents are well taken care of.
The city’s Disaster Risk Reduction Management office also coordinated with community officials and social welfare department in providing immediate assistance and establishing an evacuation camp in Barangay San Antonio, where relief goods, mats and blankets were distributed to around 70 affected families.
The government urged the community and business establishments in Metro Manila to practice fire safety precautions to avoid the detrimental effects of fire accidents.
It also asked local government officials to make fire safety awareness a year-round concern to ensure that communities and households are safe and not only during the month of March, which was declared as the Fire Prevention Month.
Records showed that most of the fires happened due to faulty electrical lines, unattended gas lamps and cooking stoves and overheating appliances.