Huge fire hits residential area in Tondo, Manila

A fire broke out in a residential area in Barangay 123 in Tondo, Manila before dawn on Wednesday and quickly spread in the community.

The fire started before 2 a.m. then became bigger and reached the fifth alarm, according to a report by James Agustin on Unang Balita.

As the fire grew even bigger, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) raised Task Force Bravo at 3:18 a.m. then Task Force Charlie at 3:32 a.m.

UPDATE: As of 3:18AM, itinaas na ng BFP sa Task Force Bravo ang sunog na sumiklab sa Brgy. 123 Tondo, Maynila. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/TEqQIVcNuS

— James Agustin (@_jamesJA) April 22, 2025

Fire trucks from the BFP and fire volunteer brigades occupied the stretch of Mel Lopez Boulevard and firemen went up on roofs to hose down the fire. Around 100 fire trucks were called in.

Residents also helped out in dousing the fire as others tried to save whatever belongings they could.

Five hundred houses were razed, according to BFP-National Capital Region spokesperson Fire Senior Superintendent Bonifacio Carta.

Meanwhile, 1,500 families were affected by the fire.

UPDATE: 500 bahay, nasunog sa Brgy. 123 Tondo, Maynila ayon kay BFP-NCR spokesperson Fire Sr. Supt. Bonifacio Carta. 1500 pamilya ang naapektuhan. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/BEVDJr4uzW

— James Agustin (@_jamesJA) April 22, 2025

One resident was injured after his foot got caught in a wire when he jumped out of the window of his house.

He said he woke up to see the big fire from his window. He asked a resident he saw outside to catch his child, and so he threw over his child to this person who caught her successfully.

The fire was placed under control at 7:09 a.m. and was declared out at 11:05 a.m., according to the BFP-National Capital Region.

The BFP is still conducting an investigation to determine the cause of the fire and the estimated cost of property damage.

As of 7:41 a.m., Mel Lopez Boulevard northbound from the corner of Moriones Street to the next block is closed to motorists since fire trucks and affected residents are occupying the road.

Affected residents temporarily sought shelter at the barangay covered court. —with Joviland Rita/KG/VBL, GMA Integrated News