An early dawn fire left more than 300 families homeless in Zulucan Street, Sampaloc, Manila last Thursday

In a DAILY TRIBUNE interview with Barangay 548 Zone 45 District 4 Manila Kagawad William Hirang, he revealed that the fire started at 4:30 a.m. and reached a third alarm before being declared out at 10:30 a.m. on the same day.

According to Hirang, the fire originated from a lighted candle in a house with disconnected electricity. The candle was left burning while the occupants were asleep.

Firefighters faced challenges entering the narrow alleys of the area, where shanties were primarily constructed of light materials.

No injuries or casualties were reported, while the cost of damages is still being determined by arson investigators.

The fire victims are currently sheltered in the Zulucan basketball court. The Manila City government, through the Department of Social Welfare (MDSW), has provided bedding and personalized tents for each family.

Some victims, unable to be accommodated in the basketball court due to its full capacity, were temporarily housed on the side of Earnshaw Street, which is currently closed to vehicular traffic.

The LGU Manila, through the MDSW, upon the instruction of Mayor Honey Lacuna, is providing 24-hour hot meals to all fire victims.