3 dead, 780 families homeless in TUP compound fire in Taguig

Three people were killed and three more were wounded in the fire that displaced more than 700 families in Barangay Western Bicutan in Taguig City on Sunday afternoon.

A report on QRT by Emil Sumangil said one of the fatalities was a 62-year-old woman who got trapped in her house when the fire broke out at the Technical University of the Philippines compound at past 3 p.m.

Earlier reports said only 400 families were affected by the fire.

Fire Superintendent Reynaldo Lorenzo said that based on their latest count, a total of 780 families were affected by the fire.

The blaze was declared under control at past 7 p.m., but was declared out past 11 p.m.

"Napakaliit ng mga daan at mga tao sa loob hindi masyadong makontrol," Lorenzo said.

The affected families are currently staying at the barangay's covered court and the Tenement Elementary School.

The barangay's chairman is asking for help from other residents who were not affected by the fire.

"Nanawagan po ako sa ating mga kabaranggay ng Western Bicutan. Doon po sa hindi naapektuhan, humihingi po ako ng tulong. Kailangan po nating tulungan ang ating mga kabaranggay," said Barangay Chairman Nick Supan.

Investigations are ongoing to determine the origin of the fire.

"According to my investigator, naiwan 'yung bahay na walang tao at may kumikislap-kislap doon sa area. In a minute nagkaroon na ng apoy," Lorenzo said. —Anna Felicia Bajo/ALG, GMA News