On December 12, 2025, at around 6:38 pm, a massive fire broke out in a densely populated residential area in Mandaluyong City, Manila, the capital of the Philippines. The fire started in Block 5, Nueva de Febrero of Barangay Pleasant Hills and quickly spread because the houses were made of light and flammable materials.
The flames rose very high and black smoke was visible far away, turning the evening sky orange. The fire alarm increased rapidly and by 7:19 pm it had spread on a large scale.
More than 20 fire engines extinguished the fire
The fire department deployed more than 20 fire trucks and teams from surrounding areas. The fire was brought under control by midnight but the assessment of the damage is still going on. Due to this fire, about 500 families became homeless and their houses were completely burnt to ashes. The good thing is that till now there has been no news of anyone getting injured or dying in this accident.
Fire became a problem in poor settlements
Such fires occur frequently in the poor slums of Metro Manila because houses there are built very close together. The electrical wiring is poor and the streets are narrow, making it difficult for fire engines to reach. The incident again highlights the city’s fire safety problems.
Arson is not a new thing in Manila area
- Earlier on August 6, 2025, a major fire broke out in Happyland Aroma area of Tondo in which hundreds of families were affected.
- In September 2025, two separate fires broke out in Tondo, one in Happyland on September 13, which affected about 1100 families, and a second fire the next day.
- In November 2024, a huge fire broke out in the Isla Putting Bato area of Tondo in which about 1000 houses were burnt and more than 8000 people were left homeless. The fire continued to burn for eight hours and water was poured from a helicopter.
- In March 2024, a fire broke out in Happyland, Tondo, in which fire fighters were also attacked.
- Even in December 2023, more than 1500 people were rendered homeless by the fire in Happyland.
- In 2017, 15,000 people were rendered homeless by a fire in a slum area.
