A 52-year-old man died of smoke inhalation while helping put out a fire that destroyed his brother’s house in Barangay Pasong Putik, Quezon City, early Wednesday, May 13.
The victim was rushed to a hospital by the Barangay Health Emergency Response Team but was declared dead on arrival due to severe smoke inhalation sustained during the blaze.
The fire broke out along Everlasting Street shortly after 1 am and spread quickly through a densely populated residential area, prompting authorities to raise the alarm level within minutes.
Based on fire response records, the incident was reported at 1:55 a.m. It was raised to first alarm at 1:57 am, escalated to second alarm, and reached third alarm by 2:06 am.
The Bureau of Fire Protection said the fire was placed under control at 3:04 am and declared out at 3:13 am.
Authorities said the blaze hit an informal settler community where closely built houses allowed the flames to spread rapidly, forcing residents to evacuate as firefighters from several stations responded.
At least 15 houses were destroyed, affecting around 25 families.
The Philippine Red Cross said it deployed an ambulance for medical standby and another fire truck to support firefighting operations. It said a 23-year-old man who sustained a wound on his right palm was treated at the scene through wound cleaning and dressing.
The Red Cross said its fire truck also helped supply water at the Bureau of Fire Protection Incident Command Post before returning to base.
Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire and assessing the total damage in the affected community.