Over 200 families homeless after Mandaluyong fire

More than 200 families or 600 individuals were left homeless after a fire hit a residential area in Mandaluyong City on Friday night.

A row of houses on Victorio Street in Barangay Pleasant Hills, Mandaluyong City was razed by the fire that broke out around 6:38 P.M., according to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).

The fire has reached fifth alarm, where nearly 60 fire trucks responded. It has quickly spread since the houses were all made of light materials.

The blaze was declared out around 10 P.M.

The BFP said the estimated cost of structural damage was pegged at more or less P1 million.

At least two persons–51 years old and 23 years old—sustained minor injuries during the fire.

One of the victims were De Guzman family, who has been a resident of the barangay for 27 years.

"We were inside the house; the fire came from the middle, and our house was razed in mere seconds. We're at the very front, so we thought the fire won't reached us here. Many of our belongings are burning, and we couldn't take them out," shared Boyet De Guzman.

De Guzman asked for help, especially since they have no money or the ability to start over again because his income is very small as a helper.

He is also worried about where they will stay, especially as Christmas is getting closer.

"For us fire victims, this is very tough; we worked hard for several years for this. I don't know how we can get back on our feet. It's nearly Christmas, where are we going now?" Dd Guzman said.

"Hopefully, the government can provide us with assistance, first, a house because I had four children who are still small," he added.

Meanwhile, the local government, led by Mayor Menchie Abalos, visited the fire victims at the evacuation centers in Barangay Pleasant Hills Gymnasium and Multi-Purpose Building in Barangay Mauway to determine the damage caused by the fire and to check on the families and individuals affected by the said fire.

The city government also assured the provision of the fire victims' basic needs such as tents, food, blankets, hygiene kits, and others.

"We thank all the personnel of the BFP and other fire volunteers who helped respond to this fire," Abalos said.