(UPDATE) A FIRE in a Pasay City residential area on Thursday evening killed two people and sent dozens of families to an evacuation center.
The blaze broke out along P. Villanueva Street in Barangay 85 and quickly spread through houses made of light materials in the densely populated community.
Firefighters raised the alarm as the flames engulfed closely packed houses, complicating response efforts.
Authorities said the fire started at about 5:59 p.m. and was declared out at about 7:58 p.m., nearly two hours later.
Initial reports said at least two people were killed in the incident, and about 50 families fled their burning homes.
Pasay City Fire Supt. Alma Cassandra Gardose said that firefighters faced operational difficulties while responding to the blaze.
“Aside from the lack of water supply, a big factor was the narrow streets. And also the number of residents bringing their belongings outside, which made our firefighters’ operations really difficult at the start,” Gardose told reporters.
Authorities said the displaced families were temporarily staying at a nearby school while investigators determined the cause of the fire.
Pasay City Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano later visited the affected community and coordinated assistance for displaced families as local officials arranged a temporary shelter and relief support for the victims.
