On May 19, 2022, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Operations Center (OpCen) received a fire alarm call at 7:41 PM regarding an ongoing fire at Block 17, Old Baseco Compound, Port Area, Tondo, Manila. Immediately upon receipt of the call, OpCen dispatched two firetrucks and two ambulance units to help put out the fire and provide medical assistance to victims in need of such.

More than 300 families were affected by the fire that raged for more than 2 hours. As the fire was put under control, PRC then deployed its food trucks to provide hot meals prepared on the spot by PRC’s Welfare Services Team to those affected.

“Patuloy ang paghahatid ng pag-asa ng Red Cross sa mga labis na naapektuhan ng sunog sa Baseco Compound. Laging handang tumulong ang PRC sa pangangailangan, alinsunod sa aming layunin na maging laging una, laging handa, at laging nandyan para sa ating mga kababayan,” PRC Chairman and CEO Richard J. Gordon said.

Earlier, at 1:05 PM, PRC’s firetrucks and ambulance service teams were dispatched to a fire call at the GA Tower on EDSA, meters away from the PRC Headquarters, also on EDSA. This fire was put out in an hour.

The fire trucks, ambulance units, and food trucks are part of PRC’s rescue and relief team serving emergency needs all over the country.

Gordon said, “Laging handang tumulong ang Philippine Red Cross sa mga fire emergencies. Agad nating ipinadala and ating firetruck upang mabilis ang pag-rescue at mapuksa and apoy. Mag-iingat din tayo dahil marami and nangyayaring sunog sa ngayon kahit nag-umpisa na ang tag-ulan. Fire Safety begins at home – identify fire hazards and plan out evacuation measures in case of fire to uphold the safety of everyone.”