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A destructive fire ripped through a densely packed coastal neighborhood in the Philippine capital on Sunday, leaving thousands homeless. The blaze lasted nearly eight hours, consuming hundreds of makeshift dwellings.
Footage from drones deployed by the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office revealed the scale of devastation in Isla Puting Bato, where blazing orange flames rapidly consumed the fragile stilt houses.
This densely populated neighborhood in Tondo, Manila, has long been marked by substandard housing, leaving residents with little chance to salvage their belongings.
As reported by the Manila Fire District, the blaze that started early Sunday morning at 8 a.m. and burned relentlessly until late afternoon destroyed an estimated 1,000 houses and left approximately 8,000 people homeless. The tragedy serves as a grim reminder of the dangers faced by vulnerable communities.
Authorities are continuing their investigation into the cause of the devastating fire, though incidents in Manila’s slums are frequently attributed to faulty electrical wiring or the mishandling of gas canisters, both common hazards in overcrowded areas.
Situated in Tondo, Manila’s largest and most populous slum district, Isla Puting Bato forms part of a sprawling community of roughly 654,220 residents. Many live in deteriorating shanties crammed along crowded streets near one of the city’s major commercial ports.
There have been no immediate reports of casualties.
Photos showed residents escaping the fire on makeshift rafts into the sea while others scrambled to salvage their belongings.
Elvira Valdemoro, a 58-year-old Manila resident and shop owner was devastated by the damage.
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“I feel bad because we have no livelihood and no home. Everything is gone. We don’t know how we can eat. We are in a very bad situation, and it’s almost Christmas,” she told Reuters.
Manila Mayor Maria Sheilah “Honey” Lacuna-Pangan visited Isla Puting Bato on Monday and spoke with survivors who spent the night in makeshift tents.
“Please be patient. We will keep coming to deliver help. No one wanted this to happen,” Lacuna-Pangan told residents.
She urged residents to get registered and voluntarily evacuate to a temporary shelter, where meals and supplies would be delivered.
“We will help all of you. Don’t lose hope. Let’s help each other out ahead of Christmas time, we really hope to get you back to your homes.”
