MANILA — Two separate fire incidents gutted a residential and commercial area in Manila and Quezon City, Monday.

Personnel from the Bureau of Fire Protection in Quezon City estimate damage of about seven million pesos after the fire that struck a one-story commercial building reached the first alarm.

Fire Chief Inspector Marvin Mari attributed the rapid spread of the conflagration to the abundance of light materials and wood in the commercial building.

“Made of handicrafts po kasi, kahoy, papel, plastic ang laman ng nasusunog kaya medyo nagiingat din tayo. kung mamapansin niyo medyo bumagsak din ang ibang poriton ng building na pader kaya hindi rin pwedeng pasukan,” he said.

It took almost two hours before authorities extinguished the fire.

Meanwhile in Manila, fire fighters were challenged by narrow alleys in Matimyas Street, resulting in a massive fire that reached the third alarm, which called for the response of at least 12 fire trucks from the BFP.

“Kasya lang ang dalawang tao, salubungan. Kaya pag dating po sa looban talagang kailangan mag giveway muna yung nasa loob. minsan nagkakasabay sabay pa yung mga residente na nandun tapos kami. So talaga yun ang nagpasikip sa fire operation kasi nasa gitna” said Fire Chief Inspector Cesar Babante.

Residents quickly fled--some bringing nothing but themselves--to safety. They also lamented the sheer lack of space as one of the reasons why they weren’t able to salvage much of their belongings.

Authorities have yet to release data on the number of residents affected and amount of damage from the Manila fire.

Investigations for both incidents are ongoing.

Authorities, meanwhile, remind the public to have their electrical sockets and sources checked by certified electricians or licensed engineers especially as more households are expected to consume more electricity and use more electric items such as Christmas lights as the season fast approaches.