11 killed in Binondo fire – BFP

Metro Manila, Philippines – Eleven people were killed in a fire that gutted a residential-commercial building in Binondo, Manila on Friday, Aug. 2, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said.

This prompted Mayor Honey Lacuna to issue a memorandum on the inspection of all structures in the capital.

Authorities declared a fire out shortly after 10 a.m. The blaze began past 7 a.m., with the lowest alarm raised at 7:28 a.m., the BFP said. It reached the second alarm an hour later, and was under control by 9:31 a.m.

The Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office said it is investigating the incident. Damage was estimated at P100,000.

Lacuna condoled with the bereaved families, while the local government has provided assistance to the fire survivors.

“Taos pusong pakikiramay sa pamilya ng mga nawalan. May the souls of the departed rest in peace,” she said in a statement.

[Translation: My heartfelt sympathies to the families who lost a loved one.]

Meanwhile, Lacuna’s order to inspect structures seeks to determine compliance to building and fire regulations.

“The structures at highest fire risk, especially those buildings that are at least 15 years old, will be prioritized in the inspection to determine their compliance with the National Building Code and the Revised Fire Code of the Philippines,” Lacuna said.

NewsWatch Plus Correspondent Daniza Fernandez contributed to this report.