Two massive fires broke out in separate areas of Manila early morning of Wednesday, April 23.
Four residents were injured and at least 500 homes, and 1,500 families, were left homeless after a fire hit the residential area in Barangay 123, Tondo, Manila, said Barangay Kagawad Malan Hubahib.
According to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the fire broke out around 1:54 a.m. and rapidly spread to the residential area made up of light materials.
The fire quickly escalated, reaching Task Force Charlie by 3:34 a.m., and continued to rage for several more hours.
The tightly packed houses, many made of light materials, made it extremely difficult for firefighters to contain the fire.
“Actually if you look at the fire, the structures are made up of light materials, light construction materials”,” BFP stated.
WATCH: Ayon sa Bureau of Fire Protection, gawa sa light materials ang mga nasusunog na bahay dahilan para mabilis na kumalat ang apoy.
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) April 22, 2025
Kasalukuyan pa ring nakataas sa TASK FORCE CHARLIE ang alarma sa sunog na sumiklab sa Road 10 Brgy. 123, Tondo, Manila. | RH 23… pic.twitter.com/Es4cydDYXi
Drone mapping was used to assess the damage and help coordinate response efforts.
Traffic in some areas was heavily affected, especially along the southbound lane.
A fire also hit the residential area in Barangay 650, Port Area, Manila, destroying approximately 700 homes and at least 1,000 to 1,200 families were affected.
The fire started at 12:03 a.m. and alarm level rapidly increased, reaching 5th alarm by 12:20 a.m. and later upgraded to Task Force Alpha due to the intensity of the blaze.
The fire was declared under control at 5:41 a.m.
“Ang cause ng sunog ay hindi pa po namin ma-identify light materials po, kasi unang nag responde kami may dala kami fire extinguisher, 4th floor siya sa kalagitnaan ng Vargas compound which means sa looban nag-umpisa yung sunog," Barangay Kagawad Edwin Lavapie Jr. said.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and authorities have yet to confirm any casualties or estimate the total damage.
Investigations are ongoing for both incidents, while local government units have begun coordinating relief efforts for the affected families.
FIRE ALERT: Sunog na sumiklab sa Brgy. 650 Port Area Manila itinaas na sa ikalimang alarma. | DZRH News pic.twitter.com/8aTt2ZCmgi
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) April 22, 2025
