OPERATIONS AT Light Rail Transit-2 (LRT-2) Recto Station halted on Jan. 31 due to a fifth-alarm fire in a nearby residential area.
A report obtained by Manila Pulse from the railway authorities revealed that the fire, which broke out at 3:11 p.m., forced authorities to suspend train services in Recto Station at 3:31 p.m.
Amid the temporary closure, the maintenance crew prepared safety equipment, including fire extinguishers, and kept watch until 9:00 p.m. in case the fire reached the station.
Local officials and staff assured that no passengers were injured or experienced symptoms of smoke inhalation, severe panic, suffocation, or nausea.
"Wala naman, wala naman kasi pina-i-stop din kaagad ‘yong operations ng LRT no’ng nagkasunog. Noong medyo malaki-laki na ‘yong apoy, pina-i-stop na,” Fernando Dizon, one of the station maintenance workers present during the fire, told Manila Pulse.
(No one was injured because the LRT operations were stopped immediately when the fire happened. It stopped when the fire intensified.)
Commuters’ side
Due to the limited train service for the day, commuters regularly boarding the station said they struggled to go to their scheduled trips and classes.
Two students who traveled from Antipolo had no choice but to walk and ride a jeepney from LRT-1 Doroteo Jose Station to their school near Recto.
"Though, syempre, ‘di namin sila sinisisi, nakakalungkot lang at may kilabot. ‘Di namin sinisisi, understandable naman talaga,” they said.
(Though, of course, we cannot blame them, it was just tragic and terrifying. We don’t blame them, it is really understandable.)
Far Eastern University student Bryl Esaga also had to resort to riding a jeepney after the train he was on was stopped at the Legarda Station, one station away from Recto.
“Napakalaking hassle kasi, ayon nga, imbis na tuloy-tuloy ka na, another gastos ka pa po ulit. Na-late po ako no’n; siguro umabot pa po ng mga 30 minutes ang byahe,” he said.
(It was such a hassle because instead of a seamless trip, I had to spend more money. I was late; I think my travel time reached 30 minutes.)
Although Recto Station resumed operations a day after the blaze, the Bureau of Fire Protection said it has yet to determine the cause of fire that struck Brgy. 310 in Sta. Cruz, Manila. Meanwhile, Barangay chairman Roland Gacula claimed that the fire started in a computer shop.
The estimated damage to the property has yet to be determined but at least 1,100 residents were displaced by the fire.
The victims were evacuated and temporarily sheltered in modular tents under Recto Station. — Cali Asajar and John Gabriel Yanzon/Manila Pulse
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