A fire broke out at a residential building along Florida Street in Palanan, Makati, at around 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, affecting several tenants — including an Indian family with a child with special needs.
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), fire volunteers, and the Philippine Red Cross quickly responded after the first alarm was raised. All tenants from four separate rooms were safely evacuated.
Initial reports indicate that the fire started in the prayer room of Room 3484-A, occupied by the Indian family. The mother, reportedly in a state of shock, was assisted by paramedics during the operation.
The flames also spread to the ceiling of Room 3484-B, occupied by 65-year-old “Nanay Elvie.” She was advised to evacuate to the barangay center but declined, saying she was worried about leaving her belongings behind. Speaking to Daily Tribune, she said she had just undergone eye laser surgery the day before.
“Kaka-eye laser ko lang. Traumatic talaga,” she said.
(I just had eye laser surgery. It’s really traumatic.)
Her 75-year-old sister, 18-year-old son, and 4-year-old dog were safe, but the family is still awaiting word on their missing 2-year-old dog.
A boarder from the ground floor told Daily Tribune that they initially mistook the commotion for a domestic argument.
“May sumisigaw kasi. Akala namin nag-aaway lang, tapos parang may nagbabasagan. Pagbukas ko ng bintana, nasusunog na. Walang nakakaalam na nasusunog na pala ang taas,” she said.
(We heard shouting. We thought it was just a fight, then something breaking. When I opened the window, there was already a fire. No one knew the upper floor was already burning.)
She added that the building wasn’t considered fire-prone. A neighbor who called for help said emergency responders arrived in under two minutes, while the fire was still small.
The fire was declared out by 8:26 p.m. Firefighters were able to recover and return several valuables, including wallets, jewelry, and a child’s piggy bank.
SF01 Roel Pacubat, the team leader of the investigation, told Daily Tribune that the cause of the fire remains under investigation.
As of 10:00 p.m., the estimated damage was around ₱750,000, including business items, kitchenware, and clothing belonging to the Indian family.