Deadly Fire Claims 11 Lives in Binondo Commercial Building

MANILA, BINONDO — A devastating fire swept through a five-story mixed-use building in Binondo, Manila, resulting in the deaths of 11 individuals on Friday morning. The Pingco Building, located on Carvajal Street in Barangay 289, was engulfed in flames that started on the ground floor, leading to a tragic loss of life and significant damage.

According to Philippines News Agency, the fire ignited at approximately 7:28 a.m. and escalated to a second alarm by 8:14 a.m. Firefighters managed to extinguish the blaze by 10:03 a.m., but not before it caused an estimated PHP 100,000 in damage. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Village councilor Nelson Ty confirmed in a radio interview that firefighters discovered 11 bodies within the premises after the fire had been fully extinguished. Among the deceased was the spouse of the building’s owner. Ty also noted that the building housed four residential units, a Chinese drug store, an eatery, and a clothing shop.

In response to the tragedy, Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna ordered a city-wide inspection of all buildings at least 15 years old to assess their fire safety compliance. “The structures at highest fire risk, especially those buildings that are at least 15 years old, will be prioritized in the inspection to determine their compliance with the National Building Code and the Revised Fire Code of the Philippines,” Lacuna stated, emphasizing the importance of these checks to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Mayor Lacuna also expressed her condolences to the families of the victims and announced that the Manila Social Welfare and Development (MSWD) had immediately provided assistance to those affected. This support includes psycho-social, medical, and financial aid to help the families cope with their losses and begin the process of recovery.