Fire hits residential area in Sta. Cruz, Manila; two dead

Two died and four others were hurt in a fire that broke out in a residential area in Santa Cruz, Manila before dawn on Sunday.

The fire started at around 3 a.m. and affected around 400 houses on Oroquieta Street, according to a report by Olan Bola on Super Radyo dzBB.

UPDATE: Sunog sa isang residential area sa Sta. Cruz, Maynila, itinaas na sa ikalimang alarma | via @olanbola pic.twitter.com/hgG5nVv8XC

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) May 13, 2023

In a Sunday evening 24 Oras Weekend report, Jonathan Andal reported that the fire affected 1,200 families.

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) raised the fifth alarm past 4 a.m. as the fire quickly spread. 

The houses affected were made of light materials.

The BFP said it has put the fire under control at 6:40 a.m. It was finally put out nine hours after it started.

The Light Rail Transit-Line 2 (LRT2) implemented provisionary services as the fire had also affected the nearby Recto station.

LRT2 trips were limited temporarily from Antipolo to V. Mapa stations and back. The power supply system and signaling system components of the Recto Station were affected, thus there were no trips between Legarda and Pureza Stations.

Trips between Antipolo Station and Legarda and back however resumed around 11 a.m.

"Na-damage nang konti iyong pader ng Manila City Jail at saka po yung konting part ng ano, pader ng LRT," said Manila Fire Department Acting Chief of Operations Fire Senior Inspector Michael Ignacio.

(The Manila City Jail's and LRT's wall was slightly damaged. )

Authorities have yet to reveal the identity of those killed in the fire.

One of the fatalities was found beside a chapel.

Those injured suffered from multiple second degree burns and fracture, according to a report by Jhomer Apresto on Super Radyo dzBB.

Meanwhile, barangay officials said that a neglected candle at a rental place had caused the fire.

The rented place was alleged used by illegal drug users.

"Yung borders na nandoon, talagang talamak sila sa ano iyan... sa pagbibisyo nila," said Barangay 310 Kagawad Ryan Lacsina. "Yung kandila iniwan nila. Yun, nakatakas. Pagkatapos, 'di na namin nahabol. Sumakay na agad ng jeep."

(The borders, they indulge their addiction. They neglected the candle. They got  away and immediately got on a jeep. We couldn't catch them.)

Residents lamented that they were not able to save any of their belongings and thus appealed for assistance.

Affected residents temporarily sought shelter at the barangay covered court, while others stayed by the roadside on Recto Avenue, Rizal Avenue, and at a nearby bus terminal.

The BFP is still conducting mopping up operations in the area. —KG/DVM, GMA Integrated News