8 killed in Philippines as flames gut residential building in less than an hour

A devastating fire tore through a three-story residential building in the Philippines' capital region early Thursday, claiming the lives of eight people and leaving at least one resident injured, according to local officials. The blaze, which ignited shortly after midnight, rapidly consumed the mostly wooden structure in San Isidro Galas village, Quezon City, while many occupants were asleep.

Authorities have launched an investigation to determine what sparked the fire, which was extinguished in less than an hour but had already inflicted significant damage.

Deadly Toll and Survivors' Accounts
According to senior fire officer Rolando Valeña, witness testimonies suggest that the fire originated on the second floor, where six of the victims were later found. The bodies of two more victims were discovered on the ground floor.

Among the survivors, 33-year-old Beverly Salvador recounted a harrowing escape. She, along with her husband and two children, managed to crawl out of a small bathroom window on the third floor as flames and thick smoke spread rapidly below them. The family made their way onto the roof of a neighboring house, narrowly avoiding the same fate as their neighbors.

"I opened our door and saw that the corridor and the stairway going down were already in flames," Salvador told The Associated Press, explaining how she urged her husband to find another way out. The mother of two broke down in tears upon learning that two families—whom she had considered longtime friends—had perished on the second floor.

Fire Safety Concerns and Past Tragedies
The tragedy unfolded just days before the Philippines begins its annual Fire Prevention Month in March, a government-led campaign aimed at raising awareness about fire hazards ahead of the country’s scorching summer season.

Fatal fires are a recurring issue in the Philippines, often attributed to weak enforcement of fire safety regulations, overcrowding, and poor building designs. This latest incident has reignited concerns over the country's fire prevention measures and the vulnerability of residential structures, especially in urban areas.

One of the deadliest fires in Philippine history occurred in 1996, when a blaze engulfed a crowded disco club in Quezon City, killing 162 people—most of them students celebrating the end of the school year. Many victims were trapped inside because an emergency exit had been blocked by a newly constructed building next door.

As authorities continue to investigate the San Isidro Galas fire, officials and safety advocates are once again emphasizing the need for stricter fire regulations to prevent future tragedies.