MAKATI, Philippines — A major fire broke out in the early hours at a densely populated residential area along Yabut Street, Barangay Guadalupe Nuevo, Makati City, prompting authorities to raise the alert to a third alarm as firefighters race to contain the blaze.

According to initial reports, the fire started in a cluster of houses constructed mostly from light and highly flammable materials, allowing the flames to spread rapidly. Thick smoke was seen billowing into the air as residents scrambled to evacuate, carrying what belongings they could save. Fire trucks from Makati and neighboring cities were immediately dispatched to support ongoing suppression efforts.

As of this writing, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) has not yet released information on possible casualties or the total number of houses affected. However, officials confirmed that raising the fire to third alarm indicates the severity of the situation and the need for additional manpower, equipment, and water supply to prevent further spread, especially to nearby residential and commercial areas.

This incident once again highlights the persistent fire risks in urban communities where homes are built close together and made of light materials. While emergency responders continue to do their best under challenging conditions, the situation underscores the importance of fire prevention measures, proper urban planning, and community preparedness. Authorities are urging residents in nearby areas to remain alert and cooperate with emergency personnel as operations continue. An investigation into the cause of the fire will be conducted once the situation is fully under control. (Larawan: Screengrab from a contributed video / Facebook)