Residents of Manila condo evacuate following transformer blast

Residents of a low-rise condominium in Tondo, Manila had to spend the night outside their homes after a transformer exploded on Monday evening.

According to Jhomer Apresto’s report in “24 Oras” on Thursday, a staffer from the condominium’s security office said there was a problem with the wiring and transformer. They were about to cut the supply and use a generator instead when the transformer exploded, the report added.

But residents said there were already sparks coming from the transformer since Monday morning.

“Bakit in-on pa yung elevator? Bakit hindi inannounce sa mga tao na huwag kayong mag-aircon, mag-ref. Walang paalala,” said unit owner Mae Ann Valentos.

(Why were the elevators still operating? Why did they not tell us to stop using our aircons and refrigerators? There was no advice for us.)

One senior citizen also had to seek medical attention after having difficulty breathing while going out of the building.

Tenants had to find ways to spend the night outside their units.

“Malaking kapwersiyuhan ito, imbes na matutulog kami paano kami makakatulog nang maayos nang ganyan? Mahirap ‘yan siyempre nagbabayad kami ng condo dues diyan tapos updated kami, tapos ganyan hindi aaksyunan, kawawa naman kamim,” said Elizabeth Bona, who had to sleep at their e-tricycle along with her children and pet dogs.

(It’s really inconvenient for us because how can we sleep now? It’s unfair for us because we are paying condo dues and we are updated with our payments, but why can’t we expect any action from them?) 

The Bureau of Fire Protection is still finding out the reason for the explosion of the transformer.

GMA Integrated News is trying to reach out to the condominium’s management for comment. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/BAP, GMA Integrated News