At least 1,000 families were left homeless after a fire razed down the Bataan Shipping and Engineering Company (Baseco) compound in Tondo, Manila at around 10 p.m., Saturday.

The fire spread quickly because the houses inside the 52-hectare Baseco compound were made of light materials and were built too close to each other.

The Bureau of Fire Protection said they were able to put out the fire at around 11:20 p.m. Initial reports said, faulty wiring was the cause of the fire.

Affected families will temporarily stay in nearby schools and basketball courts. Baseco is home to about 6,000 families.

Appeal for support

The affected families are in need of food and non-food items:

• Food (rice, sugar, canned goods,cooking oil, coffee, bottled water, noodles)
• Non-food (sleeping mat, blankets, medicine, laundry soap, kitchen utensils)

Donations may be sent through the Citizens’ Disaster Response Center (CDRC) at 72-A Times St., West Triangle Homes, Quezon City, Philippines. Or you may deposit your donations to the following accounts:

Dollar Account

Account Name:  Citizens’ Disaster Response Center

Account Number:  2636-0015-83

Bank:  Metrobank, Examiner Branch

Bank Address: Corner Examiner and Quezon Avenue, West Triangle, Quezon City, Philippines

Swift Code: MBTCPHMM

Peso Account

Account Name:  Citizens’ Disaster Response Center

Account Number:  1560-6430-16

Bank:  China Bank, Examiner Branch

Bank Address: Corner Examiner and Quezon Avenue, West Triangle, Quezon City, Philippines

Photo from: Kadamay – Manila Chapter