Tres: the fire-stricken neighborhood

March 8, 2024

The aftermath of the fire that razed residential areas in Brgy. 330 in Sta Cruz, Manila, taken on Feb. 21. (Photo by Christian Querol/The Manila Warden) 

Known as “Tres” by locals, district three has been razed by fires since January 2024.  

In Barangays 310 and 330, 431 families were affected by the level five alarm in Brgy. 310 in Recto on January 31, and about 80 families at Fugoso St. in Brgy. 330 on February 15.  

Brgy. 310 & 330 

Temporary shelter tents put up below the LRT-2 Recto Station for the affected families of the fire on Jan. 31 taken on Feb. 15. (Photo by Christian Querol/The Manila Warden) 

Now full of temporary shelter tents, the displaced residents experienced a level five alarm in Brgy. 310 and affected 431 families on a Wednesday afternoon, Jan.31, according to the Manila Fire District (MFD).  

The Bureau of Fire and Protection-National Capital Region (BFP) said that the fire, which began at around 3:11 p.m., reached fifth alarm at about 3:46 p.m.  

30 volunteer firefighting organizations and twenty BFP fire truck personnel assisted in putting out the fire. According to the BFP, firefighters had a tough time getting to the fire's source due to the nature of the shantytown’s structure. 

Affected people like Virgilio Franco, and a couple, Reni and Brigitte Tamayo recalled their experiences.  

“May pumutok na aircon, tapos yung kuryente umapoy na. Hindi na naapula dahil sa third floor nagsimula,” 62-year-old Virgilio said. “Noong nilabas ko nanay ko, malaki na iyung apoy kasi malapit lang sa amin yung pinagmulan. Wala kaming nakuhang damit, mga gamit; bali mga dala dala naming damit, ‘yun lang ang naligtas namin,” he added. 

Reni and Brigitte Tamayo, owner of a local bookbinding services said that they were lucky enough that the fire did not trash their home and business totally as it affected the whole of the third floor of the building where the fire originated. 

“Kung madaling araw yun, marami sigurong patay. Ang bilis ng apoy. Lahat ng nasa third floor, wasak, samantalang kahit maraming bumbero ay hindi talaga kinaya,” Brigitte said.  

According to Virgilio and Reni, victims of the fire on Jan. 31 in Brgy. 310 Recto received a 10,000-peso cash assistance from Mayor Maria Sheilah Honrado "Honey" Lacuna–Pangan, and a 5,000-peso cash aid from Third District Rep. Joel Chua and Sen. Manuel “Lito” Lapid. 

“Mostly from our findings, overloading of electrical wiring resulting in short circuits, and the slight negligence and overall discipline of the residents,” Manila Fire District (MFD) Fire Superintendent Leo Andiso said in Tagalog when asked on the patterns leading up to fire incidents in happening. 

“More on squatter talaga sa Tres, kaya vulnerable [sa sunog] ang area ng district three,” according to Joy Visconde, a Department of Public Service (DPS) worker of 22 years stationed in Manila.  

Numerous temporary shelter tents were also put up near Fugoso St. To help the 80 victimized families. Each tent will house three to five families, depending on the size of each family.  

Due to the nature of the area, the massive fire in Brgy. 330 was also difficult to put down with only one entrance and clumped up houses built on top of one another. 

Department of Public Service Workers clean up the assorted fire debris from the fire on Feb 15. Taken on Feb. 21 (Photo by Christian Querol/The Manila Warden) 

The cleanup will take more than two weeks, Joy stated that it was due to its scale and where the debris will be thrown, which will be at the barges in Pier 18.  

“Hindi namin pwede iignore ‘yan [debris] dahil walang makakapagproduce ng panibagong bahay kung hindi ilalabas ‘yan,” he added. 

The Manila Fire District, also home of the San Lazaro Fire Station taken on Feb. 23. (Photo by Christian Querol/The Manila Warden) 

According to the MFD's Intelligence and Investigation Section, as of February 21, fire incidents in Manila from January to February decreased to 103 from last year’s numbers of 112. Additionally, civilian deaths were down by one from four to three. 

Fire incidents are categorized into three: structural, non-structural, and vehicular. 

However, in the same statistic, injured civilians increased by six, from 25 to 31; injured firefighters were up to three from last year’s zero. 

Additionally, estimated damages tallied up to more than two million pesos, with P10,692,350 from 2023’s P8,708,600. 

Andiso stated that Manila is preparing the citizens to the upcoming fire prevention month this March by giving out fire prevention campaigns and seminars, and the Operation Plan (OPLAN) Sangbuhay. 

FSupt. Leo Andiso succeeded former deputy district fire director Rolando Sanchez in July 2023.  

- Christian Querol