A fire broke out in a residential community within the University of the Philippines (UP) campus, affecting 16 families and leaving dozens of residents displaced. The incident occurred on a Saturday morning, with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) responding to the emergency.
According to initial reports from the BFP, the fire started in one of the houses and quickly spread to neighboring structures due to the close proximity of the homes. Firefighters managed to bring the blaze under control within an hour, preventing further damage to the densely populated area.
"We received the alarm at around 10:30 AM and immediately dispatched our teams," said a BFP spokesperson. "The fire was declared under control by 11:25 AM, but not before it had consumed several homes."
Local authorities are currently assessing the extent of the damage and coordinating relief efforts for the affected families. No casualties have been reported, though several residents were treated for minor smoke inhalation at the scene.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, with officials examining whether electrical issues or unattended cooking might have sparked the blaze. Community leaders have called for assistance as displaced families seek temporary shelter with relatives or in evacuation centers.
This incident highlights ongoing concerns about fire safety in densely populated urban communities, particularly in areas with informal housing arrangements. University officials have pledged to work with local government units to provide support to the affected residents and review safety protocols for campus communities.