Devastating Blaze Engulfs Thousands of Shanties in Manila’s Largest Slum, Leaving Residents in Despair

A massive fire swept through Isla Puting Bato, a coastal shanty town in Tondo, Manila, on Sunday, displacing approximately 8,000 people. The blaze, which lasted nearly eight hours, destroyed around 1,000 homes and left at least 2,000 families homeless.

The Manila Fire District reported that the fire started at 8 a.m. and was extinguished by 4 p.m. Authorities are investigating the cause, which is often linked to faulty wiring or gas canisters in the area.

The fire in Isla Puting Bato is one of the most devastating incidents in recent years for this densely populated area, which is known for its precarious living conditions. The district of Tondo is Manila’s largest slum, housing around 654,220 residents. Many families live in cramped stilt homes near a commercial port, making them particularly vulnerable to fire hazards.

Key details of the incident include:

• Time of the fire: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Estimated number of homes destroyed: 1,000
• Number of families affected: At least 2,000
• Estimated number of people displaced: Roughly 8,000

Residents were seen fleeing the flames, with some using makeshift rafts to escape. Photos captured the chaos, showing individuals salvaging belongings amid the destruction. Elvira Valdemoro, a local shop owner, expressed her despair, stating, “Everything is gone. We don’t know how we can eat.” Manila Mayor Maria Sheilah “Honey” Lacuna-Pangan visited the site, assuring residents that help would be provided and urging them to register for temporary shelter.

The fire in Isla Puting Bato underscores the challenges faced by residents in Manila’s slum areas, where living conditions are often hazardous. As the community begins to recover, local authorities are focusing on providing immediate assistance and long-term solutions to prevent future disasters.