Tondo fire victims refuse to stay at evacuation centers

Victims of Saturday’s 4th fire alarm in Happyland, Tondo, Manila stayed at a covered court near their barangay after they refused to take shelter at evacuation centers.

According to Vonne Aquino’s report on GMA News’ COVID-19 Bulletin, more than 100 families insisted on staying at a covered court near their houses in Barangay 105.

The covered court was only supposed to be a registration area for the victims, the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office said.

The Manila DRRMO provided the victims with partition tents while they attempted to find some other temporary shelter for the residents.

Barangay officials were also coordinating with the victims, the DRRMO said.

More than 200 families were affected by the fire and were forced to temporarily reside in partition tents in various evacuation centers.

The Manila DRRMO said 210 families were staying at the Vicente Lim Elementary School, while 50 families resided at the Amado V. Hernandez Elementary School.

The local government had provided partition tents for the victims to observe safety protocols such as social distancing amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

A total of 500 families were affected by the fire, and 200 houses were damaged in the highly populated area.

Based on an initial investigation by the Philippine National Police, the fire started on the second floor of the house of a man only identified as "Manong."

No one died in the fire, but a fireman had difficulty breathing and was given first aid. — Ma. Angelica Garcia/DVM, GMA News