Written by Patricia Marie R. Reyes
Published May 8, 2022
QUEZON CITY, Philippines - Eight residents were killed and three people were injured after a fire spread at Barangay University of the Philippines (UP) Campus in Diliman, Quezon City on May 2, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) reported.
The fire was reported at 5:20 a.m. and reached the second alarm at 5:38 a.m. Responders to the scene were able to put the fire out at 7 a.m.
Anonas Police reported that seven out of the eight fatalities were already identified while one remained unknown. Based on police reports, six of the victims were found inside a house and the other two were five meters away in a small shelter. The victims died due to being trapped by the fire.
Reports estimate that at least 250 families were left homeless and the initial cost of damage was at ₱150,000. Those affected were evacuated to Advicula Hall.
UP Kilos Na Multisectoral Alliance initiated a donation drive for the affected families. The organization called for in-kind donations and monetary donations to provide assistance for the needs of the families such as food, medicine, water, and clothes.
The UP administration also temporarily opened the Sampaguita Residence Hall for employees who were affected.
In an interview, City Social Services Director Fe Macale said Quezon City government will pay for the funeral expenses of the victims and will provide for any assistance that the affected families may need.
“Ang instruction sa amin ni Mayor [Joy Belmonte] ay ibigay ‘yung lahat ng mga pangangailangan ng ating mga nasunugan,” Macale said.
(The instructions of Mayor Joy Belmonte to us was to provide for all the needs of those victimized by the fire.)
I hope the government has already provided the needs of the affected ones.