MANILA – March is always the busiest for Philippine fire fighters, because it’s ironically during Fire Prevention Month when most of the blazes are tallied.
The dangers that fire fighters face came close to home Sunday when several of them were trapped at the roofdeck of the burning Waterfront Manila Pavilion Hotel and Casino in Ermita, requiring their rescue by their colleagues.
The deadly fire, of still unknown origin, had as of posting time killed four people, injured six and trapped 20 people in upper floors as it consumed the mezzanine up to the third floor, including the casino area.
These series of photos by Philippine News Agency’s Avito C. Dalan capture the dramatic rescue by Manila fire fighters.
The long view shows the tiny rescue bucket inching its way through dangerous smoke in an effort to get to trapped people. PHOTO BY AVITO DALAN, PNA
Firemen train their water cannon on the burning hotel, located at the corner of Maria Orosa Street and UN Avenue in Manila . PNA PHOTO BY AVITO DALAN
A firefighter works on the ground as thick smoke engulfs the casino-hotel building. PNA PHOTO BY AVITO DALAN
