Barangay Obrero blaze displaces 100 families

At least 100 families were affected after a third-alarm fire razed a residential area in Barangay Obrero in Quezon City last Saturday night.

Based on the initial report from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the fire broke out along Makabayan Street. It was immediately raised to the second alarm by 11:42 p.m. and eventually to the third alarm by 11:56 p.m.

At least 50 firetrucks from different cities in Metro Manila responded to the scene, where fire hoses were linked from Tomas Morato Avenue toward the inner streets to extinguish the fire.

FO3 Jay Valenia, the case investigator, said the blaze started in the bedroom of a two-story house owned by Niño Dela Cruz at No. 35 Makabayan Street, Barangay Obrero.

According to Valenia, firefighters had difficulty accessing the site due to narrow alleys, which served as the only entry and exit points to the community. They had to connect hoses to hydrants.

Firefighters also had to extend their fire hoses to connect to distant fire hydrants on Timog Avenue and Tomas Morato Avenue.

Throughout the incident, at least four individuals were injured, including two volunteer firefighters who sustained lacerations to their right hands and fingers.

CJ, a 30-year-old waiter, said he was at work when he was notified about the fire that had reached his home.

“We weren’t able to save anything because by the time I arrived, the house was already gone. I still don’t know what the plan is, and it’s painful because it all happened so suddenly,” CJ said.

Barangay Councilor Randy dela Cruz of Barangay Obrero said the affected residents are currently seeking shelter in Don Alejandro Roces Sr. High School and Barangay Obrero Hall.

Dela Cruz added that the affected residents are currently seeking shelter in Don Alejandro Roces Sr. High School and Barangay Obrero Hall.