Manila—A devastating fire swept through a tenement area in Vitas, Tondo, Manila on Saturday, leaving approximately 2,000 families without homes.

According to the Philippines News Agency, city government officials were quick to respond, conducting wellness checks on Sunday to ensure that displaced residents received basic necessities such as hot meals and clothing. Efforts were also made to manage waste effectively in the aftermath of the blaze. Many victims chose to erect makeshift tents along Road 10, Mel Lopez Boulevard, and Maginoo Street rather than relocating to the overcrowded evacuation centers set up in the covered courts of Barangay 105 and 106, as well as the General Vicente Lim Elementary School, which has suspended classes for Monday to accommodate evacuees.

Some affected residents returned to the charred remains of their homes to retrieve any salvageable materials. In response to the disruption caused by the fire, the Manila Public Information Office announced, "There will be makeup classes for the days missed due to the disaster."

Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna and Vice Mayor Yul Servo Nieto visited the site on Saturday and returned on Sunday to oversee the relief efforts and check on the conditions of the victims. The fire, which broke out around 11 a.m. Saturday, rapidly consumed buildings predominantly made of light materials and spread to neighboring areas. By 1:33 p.m., a Task Force Bravo was declared, signaling the need for at least 28 fire trucks on the scene. Support also came from above, with a helicopter from the Philippine Air Force 505th Search and Rescue Brigade assisting in extinguishing the fire from the air.