Port Area Fire Turns Violent as Firefighters Are Attacked
MANILA – Two volunteer firefighters were assaulted while responding to a fire in Port Area on Friday, October 17, 2025. According to a radio interview with one of the victims, they were attacked by two men while waiting for a water supply at the scene.
The volunteer said he was suddenly beaten because they had run out of water while fighting the fire. He explained that as he waited for the next supply, two men approached and started hitting him. He added that both he and his fellow volunteer were struck on the back with a wooden plank before he managed to run to safety.
The fire, which reached the second alarm, was declared out around 2:22 p.m. Authorities are now investigating the incident and assessing the number of houses destroyed and families affected by the blaze.
This is not the first time firefighters have faced violence while performing their duties. On September 14, a similar incident occurred in Tondo, Manila, where residents reportedly attacked a responding fire truck by throwing stones and breaking its side windows. The vehicle belonged to a volunteer fire brigade from outside the city. Fortunately, no one inside the truck was injured.
Reports said the attack happened as firefighters were trying to extinguish a fast-spreading blaze that burned through a residential area and forced more than a thousand residents to evacuate.
Meanwhile, those who assaulted the volunteer firefighters in Manila should be held legally accountable for their actions. Under Philippine law, they could face several criminal charges, including physical injuries for causing harm and direct assault for attacking responders while performing their duties. Since the firefighters were actively serving the public during an emergency, the act also constitutes obstruction of public service, as it interfered with lifesaving operations. If the attack was severe or showed intent to cause serious harm, attempted homicide could also apply.