Fire tore through shanty homes in a residential area in Tondo, Manila late Saturday (September 13), displacing over a thousand families. The blaze started past 8pm Manila time (1200GMT) and spread rapidly through the densely packed residences.

Drone video showed multiple fire trucks spraying water onto the burning homes as the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and volunteer fire brigades worked hours through the night until the fire was declared under control at 2:46am Sunday (September 14) (1846GMT, September 13) and fully extinguished by 6:01am (2200GMT, September 13).

More than 1,100 families lost their homes and have been temporarily housed in local schools as local government offices coordinate relief efforts. According to the BFP, no fatalities were reported during the blaze.

The Philippines has a patchy record in enforcing fire safety in buildings, homes and offices. In August, 11 people died after a five-storey apartment burned down in Manila’s Chinatown.

(Production: Adrian Portugal)

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

MANILA, PHILIPPINES (SEPTEMBER 13, 2025) (MANILA DRRM OFFICE - Must on screen courtesy "MANILA DRRM OFFICE") (NIGHT SHOTS)

1. AERIAL SHOT OF HOUSES BURNING / FIRE TRUCKS SPRAYING WATER ONTO BURNING HOMES / VARIOUS ANGLES OF FIRE