Massive Fire Engulfs Slum in Manila, 1,000 Homes Destroyed

Manila, Nov 24, 2024 – A devastating fire tore through a densely populated slum area in Manila, Philippines, on Sunday, destroying around 1,000 homes and sending thick black smoke and orange flames into the sky. The blaze, which is believed to have started on the second floor of one of the homes, ravaged the tightly packed structures in Isla Puting Bato village, leaving thousands of families displaced.

Drone footage shared by the city’s disaster agency showed the widespread destruction, with homes reduced to ash. The Manila Fire District confirmed that approximately 2,000 families, living in the affected area, are now left without shelter. There were no immediate reports of casualties, but the damage is catastrophic.

One of the affected residents, Leonila Abiertas, a 65-year-old woman, tearfully recalled losing nearly everything in the fire, except for an urn containing her late husband’s ashes. “I only got the urn with the ashes of my husband,” Abiertas said, overwhelmed with emotion. “I really don’t know how I can start my life again after this fire.”

In response to the fire, emergency services deployed 36 trucks and four fireboats to contain the blaze. Additionally, two helicopters from the Philippine Air Force were sent to assist in extinguishing the flames.

Firefighters have noted that the area is particularly vulnerable to fires, as most of the houses are constructed using light, flammable materials. Firefighter Geanelli Nunez explained, “That area is fire-prone since most of the houses there are made of light materials.”

The community is now grappling with the aftermath, as efforts continue to provide relief and aid to the displaced families.