An estimated 120 individuals lost their homes to a fire which ignited a residential area in Muntinlupa City on Monday morning.
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Muntinlupa said they were first alerted to the blaze in a portion of Sitio Masagana, Barangay Alabang at 5:25 AM.
The fire was declared under the first alarm at 5:32 AM, escalated to the second alarm at 5:37 AM, and rose to the third alarm at 6 AM.
The fire was under control by around 6:30 AM.
In a report by RH 15 Jecelle Ricafort, the conflagration consumed 50 houses and one multipurpose hall, with losses estimated at around ₱2 million.
According to Fire Superintendent Rowena Gollod, the fire broke out on the second floor of a two-story house, which was made with light materials.
Investigation as to the cause is still underway, as of the time of writing.
Acquiring water supply in the area proved challenging for the BFP, which contributed to the fire’s rapid escalation.
“Tinaas po matin sa third alarm. Dahil po? Kasi nahirapan kaming kumuha ng suplay ng tubig. So kung makikita niyo sa naging operation namin, napalibutan naman namin ‘yung buong area. That’s why this is also a good thing na rin kahit papaano dahil maaga po naming naapula yung sunog,” Gollod told reporters.
Ricafort noted the entrance to the area was tight; moreover, there were vehicles parked along the firetrucks’ way. However, the responders were equipped with a drone, which aided in assessment and response.
One individual was also rushed to the hospital due to hyperventilation.
