A fire in Barangay 310, Sta. Cruz, Manila, affected approximately 500 families on Wednesday night.
The blaze destroyed around 250 houses before being declared under control at 1:50 a.m. on Thursday.
According to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the fire reached the fifth alarm due to its rapid spread.
SInsp. Alejandro Ramos explained that the light materials used in construction and narrow roads complicated firefighting efforts.
Fortunately, inmates at the nearby Manila City Jail were not affected by the fire.
Two women sustained injuries during the incident, which Ramos described as occurring in a “fire-prone” area.
Local officials were surprised by how quickly the fire escalated, with residents reporting a lack of warning.
The BFP continues to investigate the cause of the fire, which started in the central part of the residential area.
