At least 15 houses were destroyed after a fire tore through a residential area along NIA Road in Barangay Pinyahan, Quezon City early Thursday morning, with authorities continuing clearing operations.
In a report by GMA News, the blaze broke out at around 1 a.m., quickly spreading through closely packed homes made of light materials and narrow alleyways, catching many residents off guard.
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) raised the alarm to the third level, prompting a response from at least 25 fire trucks. Residents scrambled to save belongings and small businesses, while firefighters used ladders and positioned themselves on rooftops to better contain the flames.
Although the fire has already been put out, authorities said clearing operations are still ongoing in the affected area.
The incident has reignited fear among residents, many of whom were also affected by a major fire on March 6 in the same community.
The BFP said it is still determining the total number of families affected and continues to investigate the cause of the fire.
“Based on our initial investigation, the fire appears to have originated from a partially damaged, unoccupied house that had no electricity supply,” said Fire Inspector Robert Maravilla, commander of BFP Quezon City Station 4.
Some residents, however, alleged that the fire may have been intentionally set. They claimed that they had recently been given until May 30 to vacate the area to make way for a planned vertical housing project.
Barangay officials denied the allegation, suggesting other possible causes.
“There’s no indication that anyone deliberately set the fire. There are individuals who enter the area to scavenge and sometimes burn materials like copper, so we cannot yet determine what really happened,” Barangay Pinyahan Captain Ricardo Villaflor said, as authorities emphasized that the investigation is still ongoing.
Meanwhile, displaced residents returned to the site Thursday morning to search for any salvageable belongings. The barangay is now coordinating with the Quezon City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (QCDRRMO) for possible relocation or temporary shelter of affected families.
Efforts are being made to get the side of the local government of Quezon City or obtain an official statement regarding the residents’ claims.