15 dead in Tandang Sora fire
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 31) — Authorities confirmed 15 people died after a fire engulfed a house being used as a warehouse in Tandang Sora, Quezon City on Thursday.
Fire officials said the blaze started at 5:30 a.m. at a house in Kennedy Drive, Pleasant View Subdivision.
Its alert level only reached the first alarm but it took firefighters nearly three hours to control the flames. The fire was extinguished at 8:05 a.m.
Its alert level only reached the first alarm but it took firefighters nearly three hours to control the flames. The fire was extinguished at 8:05 a.m.
“Total of 18 individuals were inside the residential area, only three of them were able to get out and 15 individuals were unable to escape,” the Quezon City Fire District said.
Fire authorities said the homeowner and their child, along with most of the stay-in workers, were among the casualties.
Barangay Tandang Sora Fire Brigade chief Marcelo Ragundiaz said the owner and their employees were staying at the back of the warehouse, so most of them were unable to get past the fire that started in the middle of the house.
The flames quickly spread throughout the house due to the presence of fabrics and other chemicals used for printing.
It was further discovered that the house also served as a manufacturing business for garments, bags, and shoes.
MGC Wearhouse Incorporated only has a permit to operate as a clothing warehouse.
The official said the owner and their employees were staying at the back of the t-shirt printing warehouse, so most of them were unable to get past the fire that started in the middle of the house.
The Quezon City government gave assurance it will help the bereaved families. But it said will conduct investigations if there are proper documents to use the house as a commercial building.
"Kabilang sa aalamin ay kung may paglabag sa National Building Code, Fire Code of the Philippines, zoning ordinance, business permit, occupancy permit at iba pang mga batas at ordinansa," it said in a statement.
[Translation: We will find out if they violated the building code, fire code, if it has permits, and other laws.]
Meanwhile, firefighters remind the public to immediately use their phones to make emergency calls to authorities instead of shooting videos that they can post on social media.
“‘Wag natin unahin ang FB (Facebook) live, kung hindi tumawag agad tayo sa nearest fire station na nakakasakop sa barangay natin,” Barangay Tanding Sora Fire Brigade member Henry Liao said.
[Translation: Let's not prioritize FB (Facebook) live, instead immediately call the nearest fire station that covers your barangay.]
CNN Philippines' correspondent Crissy Dimatulac contributed to this story.
