Manila Fire Leaves 2,000+ Families Homeless in Parola, Binondo

More than 2,000 families are now homeless after a massive fire tore through Parola Compound in Binondo, Manila, turning a dense residential area into ground zero overnight.

According to ABS-CBN News, authorities said 2,134 families, or around 7,111 people, were affected by the Saturday afternoon blaze. The fire reached Task Force Charlie, with at least 30 fire trucks responding as crews fought to contain the flames.

Firefighters battled the blaze for more than nine hours before it was finally declared out around midnight on Sunday. Officials have not yet determined the final count of houses destroyed, but Manila Department of Social Welfare Director Jay Dela Fuente said almost all structures in the area were totally burned.

Around 500 families are temporarily staying at the Delpan Evacuation Center, while others are with relatives or remain near the site to watch over what is left of their property. The Department of Social Welfare and Development has distributed hygiene kits, ready-to-eat food and sleeping kits to displaced residents.

Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso visited the fire scene Sunday and said city teams would first clear debris before financial assistance is delivered so families can start rebuilding. The Manila Fire District is still investigating the cause, while the city disaster office said faulty electrical connections are a possible cause. Source: ABS-CBN News