A fire swept through a row of commercial establishments along Holy Spirit Drive in Barangay Holy Spirit, Quezon City before dawn on Thursday, prompting authorities to raise the blaze to second alarm, according to the Bureau of Fire Protection – National Capital Region (BFP-NCR).
Initial investigation showed the fire broke out at around 4:40 am in the Don Antonio Heights area and rapidly spread to nearby establishments within the densely packed commercial strip.
The blaze was raised to first alarm at 4:47 am before escalating to second alarm at 4:57 am as firefighters struggled to contain the flames.
Responding fire personnel eventually placed the fire under control at around 5:27 am, while authorities declared “fire out” at approximately 5:45 am.
Among the establishments affected were three eateries, a pet shop, and a pharmacy located along the commercial row.
As part of safety measures during firefighting operations, personnel from Meralco disconnected electricity in the area at around 4:45 am to prevent possible electrical hazards.
The Quezon City Fire District said investigators are still determining the exact cause and origin of the fire.
Traffic along Holy Spirit Drive, which experienced temporary disruptions during the emergency response, had returned to normal later in the morning.