A devastating fire broke out early Friday in Manila’s Binondo district, claiming the lives of 11 individuals. The blaze, which tore through a five-storey building in the heart of the Philippine capital’s Chinatown, was brought under control by fire crews after two hours.
Fire Senior Inspector Michael Ignacio of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Manila reported that the emergency call was received at 7:22 a.m., with the first alarm raised at 7:28 a.m. and the second at 8:14 a.m. The fire, which began in an eatery on the ground floor, quickly spread through the mixed-use building.
Rescue teams later discovered the bodies of the victims, primarily women, on the mezzanine and third floors. Inspector Ignacio noted, “They were found in their beddings, indicating they may have been asleep and suffocated by the smoke.”
The building, which included commercial shops on the ground level and residential units on the upper floors, was characterized by narrow secondary exits and light construction materials. “The hallway and exit were obstructed, with items from a bakery blocking the stairways,” added Ignacio.
Barangay 289 official Nelson Ky stated that the building was not permitted to operate as a boarding house. “It wasn’t allowed to accept boarders because it didn’t have the necessary permit,” Ky remarked.
In response to the tragedy, Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna announced plans to instruct authorities to inspect all city structures, particularly those older than 15 years, which are most vulnerable to fires.