A devastating fire in a five-storey Chinatown Building residential and commercial building in Manila’s Chinatown resulted in the deaths of at least 11 people on Friday, according to local community officials.
Fire officials reported that the blaze broke out in the Binondo district, a densely populated area known for its bustling commercial activity and historic significance. Fire responders received an alert about the incident around 7:30 am (2300 GMT), and they brought the fire under control after approximately three hours. Despite the efforts of the firefighters, the cause of the fire remains unknown and is currently under investigation.
Nelson Ty, an elected official from the affected community, provided further details in an interview with DZRH radio station.
“The wife of the Chinatown Building owner was among those that died,” Ty revealed. He also said that vendors used the building to store their goods overnight, which could have intensified the fire. Ty expressed concern that more people might be trapped inside the building, but the exact number of victims is still unknown as search and rescue efforts continue.
The tragedy highlights ongoing issues with fire safety enforcement in the Philippines. The country has struggled to implement consistent fire safety regulations across various types of buildings, including residential, commercial, and office spaces. This incident is not an isolated case; it follows a series of deadly fires that have plagued the nation in recent years.
In August of the previous year, a fire in a residential and warehouse building resulted in 16 fatalities, drawing attention to the need for stricter fire safety measures. More recently, in May 2023, a massive blaze engulfed Manila’s historic Central Post Office, causing significant damage and raising further concerns about fire safety standards in public buildings.
The 2017 fire at a shopping mall in Davao City serves as another grim reminder of the potential for disaster. That incident claimed the lives of 37 call center agents and a security officer, underscoring the deadly consequences of inadequate fire safety practices.
As authorities continue to investigate the cause of the latest fire in Manila’s Chinatown, there is a renewed call for improved fire safety regulations and enforcement to prevent future tragedies. The community mourns the loss of lives and hopes for accountability and action to ensure such incidents do not recur.
