Massive 5th-Alarm Fire Rips Through QC Neighborhood, Families Displaced Along NIA Road
A devastating fire tore through a residential area along NIA Road in Barangay Pinyahan, Quezon City on Friday night, escalating to a 5th alarm as firefighters struggled to contain the massive blaze that engulfed rows of homes in one of the city's densely packed neighborhoods.
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) reported that the fire was first detected at 9:01 PM and quickly spiraled out of control. Within just three minutes, it was raised to the 2nd alarm. By 9:12 PM, it hit the 3rd alarm, then the 4th alarm by 9:22 PM, and finally reached the 5th alarm at 9:44 PM — the highest level of fire response.
By 11:18 PM, the fire had been elevated to Task Force Bravo status by the BFP National Capital Region, meaning multiple fire stations across Metro Manila had been deployed to battle the blaze. Major roads in the area, including NIA Road and BIR Road, were completely closed to all vehicles as fire trucks took over the streets.
Residents were seen desperately throwing buckets of water at the flames and rescuing whatever belongings they could carry, including pets. Photos from the scene showed massive walls of fire lighting up the night sky as firefighters worked from rooftops trying to stop the blaze from spreading further into the crowded community.
Authorities have yet to confirm the total number of homes destroyed, casualties, or the cause of the fire. The Quezon City government is expected to mobilize disaster response teams to assist the displaced families. Fires in densely populated urban areas remain a persistent problem in Metro Manila, especially during the dry season.
Source: The Manila Times
