Tondo fire reaches Task Force Alpha–Fire Dept.

The fire that  razed parts of Isla Puting Bato and Parola Compound in Tondo, Manila reached Task Force Alpha, the Manila Fire Department said. The fire started at 4:10 p.m. and continued for more than two hours. 

 

 “Ang sunog po sa Isla Puting Bato and Parola Compound ay umabot na sa Task Force Alpha. Hindi po makapasok ang ibang fire trucks natin," Chief Inspector Bonifacio Carta of the Manila Fire Department's intelligence and investigation division said in an interview with GMA News TV's Quick Response Team. 

 

Task Force Alpha is the highest fire alert level used by firefighters.   

 

“Lumalaban po ‘yung apoy… Malakas din po ang hangin dito sa may Isla Puting Bato. On-going na rin  po ‘yung rescue natin sa may dagat, may mga rubber boats po tayo roon,” Carta said. 

 

“Sa laki ng apoy, kailangan ng magkarga ng bombero ng mga tubig. Ang Isla putting bato ay maraming barung-barong na gawa sa light materials kaya madaling kumalat ang apoy. Ang ilang mga residente ay tumalon na sa dagat para maiwasan ang apoy,” GMA News TV's Jiggy Manidad said in the report.  

 

Isla Puting Bato and Parola Compound are within Manila’s dock area.

 

Carta said that the Fire Department already coordinated with the Philippine Coast Guard and asked for the latter's fire boats.

 

“Nakipagcoordinate na po tayo sa Philippine Coast Guard para sa kanilang seaborne fire fighters. Kailangan po natin ng mas sophisticated na equipment,” Carta said.

  

Carta said that the “delayed response” of firefighters in the Tondo fire was due to an earlier fire in the Sta. Mesa area, where the firefighters also responded. —With Rouchelle Dinglasan/AE/VS, GMA News