2 Patay, 50 Families Nawalan ng Bahay sa Pasay Fire — Firefighters Hirap Pumasok sa Makikitid na Kalye
A devastating fire tore through a densely packed residential area in Pasay City on Thursday evening, killing two people and leaving approximately 50 families homeless.
The blaze erupted along P. Villanueva Street in Barangay 85 at around 5:59 PM, quickly engulfing houses made of light materials in the tightly built community. It took firefighters nearly two hours to bring the fire under control, with it finally declared out at approximately 7:58 PM.
Pasay City Fire Superintendent Alma Cassandra Gardose said that responders faced serious operational challenges. "Aside from the lack of water supply, a big factor was the narrow streets. And also the number of residents bringing their belongings outside, which made our firefighters' operations really difficult at the start," Gardose told reporters.
The displaced families were temporarily sheltered at a nearby school while fire investigators worked to determine the cause of the blaze. Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano personally visited the affected community and coordinated immediate relief assistance for the victims.
The Pasay fire is a grim reminder of how vulnerable densely populated urban communities remain — narrow streets, lightweight building materials, and limited water access create a perfect storm for tragedy. Authorities continue to urge residents to practice fire safety, especially during the dry season.
Source: The Manila Times
