Around 100 families were left homeless after a fire broke out in Barangay 330, Sta. Cruz, Manila, on Thursday, February 15.

The fire began around 11 a.m. and quickly escalated to a third alarm.

The houses, constructed closely together and made of light materials, facilitated the rapid spread of the flames, ABS-CBN reported.

Residents blamed the demolition of a nearby school for causing the fire.

They claimed that metal scraps being cut with acetylene ignited, causing sparks to fall onto their roofs.

“May tumalsik na baga, doon nagsimula ang sunog… Sa taranta namin wala kaming nailabas na kahit isa, kasi lumaki na po talaga yung apoy… Sabi ko parang may tumatalsik na baga, ‘pag tingin ko may apoy na po” (A spark flew, and that’s where the fire started… In our panic, we weren’t able to save anything because the fire grew so quickly… I thought I saw sparks, and when I looked, there was already fire) said Cindy Garcia, a fire victim.

Four injuries were reported, according to the Bureau of Fire Protection.

Barangay Captain John Ray Antido stated that there was no permit from the barangay for the demolition of the old school.

Temporary tents will be set up on the street to accommodate the affected residents.

Some residents attempted to rescue their pet dogs trapped in the fire. They doused them with water, performed CPR, and rushed them to a veterinarian, but unfortunately, they did not survive.

Footage captured a resident’s desperate attempt to save his pet dogs.

Tatay Rolly, overcome with emotion, was left in tears after losing his four beloved dogs in the fire that swept through Sta. Cruz, Manila.