A massive fire that swept through a residential community along NIA Road in Barangay Pinyahan, Quezon City has left around 4,000 families homeless after destroying most houses in the area, local officials said.
According to barangay authorities, an estimated 80 to 95 percent of homes in the community were damaged or completely burned during the blaze.
The Bureau of Fire Protection said the fire was first raised to the first alarm at 9:01 p.m. before quickly escalating to the fifth alarm by 9:44 p.m. as flames spread rapidly across the densely populated neighborhood.
Firefighters later downgraded the situation to Task Force Bravo at around 11:18 p.m., and the fire was declared under control at 5:17 a.m. on March 7 after hours of firefighting operations.
Authorities said the large number of displaced residents was due to the high population density in the area, with each household estimated to have about four family members.
Many residents spent the night along nearby roads and open areas after the fire destroyed their homes and belongings.
Fire officials noted that most structures in the community were made of light materials, allowing the flames to spread quickly and intensify the blaze.
Firefighters also encountered difficulties entering parts of the neighborhood because narrow interior pathways prevented fire trucks from accessing several areas.
The Quezon City government opened at least five evacuation centers, including the Pinyahan Covered Court inside the National Irrigation Administration compound and the Pinyahan Church, where displaced families received modular tents, food, and hygiene kits.
Meanwhile, the city’s Social Services Development Department is still assessing the full extent of the damage and validating the number of affected households.
Authorities said the cause of the fire remains under investigation, while the Quezon City government is expected to extend financial assistance to families affected by the disaster.