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Advocates Philippines
Fire Victims Demand Answers After Condo Blaze
File
More than a week after the devastating fire at Olympic Heights Condominium in Libis, Quezon City, many residents say they are still waiting for clear answers, while some families continue to care for loved ones who remain hospitalized.
As the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) continues its investigation into the incident, one of the biggest questions raised by residents is why the building's reported fire detection and smoke alarm system failed during the emergency.
For Anna Ong, the issue is no longer just about what caused the fire. She says her family's focus is now on what assistance the condominium management will provide to those who lost their homes or are still recovering from serious injuries.
Her brother remains confined in the intensive care unit (ICU), while two other relatives are still undergoing treatment after they became trapped on the 29th floor during the fire.
"They were stranded on the 29th floor. They could not find the way to the fire exit because of the thick black toxic smoke of their floor. They had to wait it out. They were exposed to the toxic smoke for hours before they were brought down."
According to Ong, representatives from First Oceanic Property Management (FOPM) later visited her family in the hospital, but she said the meeting failed to provide concrete solutions.
"...they could not give us any solutions to our problems. Also, they visited a few days after the incident happened… pero up to now we don’t have a clear solution of what’s going to happen with the residents and also with my brother who’s still in the ICU."
She also claimed that the financial assistance initially offered by the property management was far from enough to cover the family's growing medical expenses.
"They offered… had a cheque with them and on the cheque was written an amount. That is not even an eighth of the expenses we incurred due to their negligence.”
Residents say town hall left more questions than answers
Many homeowners were hoping a June 28 town hall meeting would finally provide updates and a concrete recovery plan. The meeting was attended by the condominium's Board of Trustees, representatives from FOPM, legal counsel, and residents.
Instead, Ong described the three-hour discussion as confusing and unproductive.
"Although the meeting lasted for three hours, it was really inconclusive. During the meeting, it was chaotic. They were not organized. They were pointing fingers at each other and also … the third party agency - the one who supplied the fire detection alarm system. No clear answers from anyone.”
Residents wanted to know what support would be provided to displaced families, how hospitalized victims would be assisted, and what accountability would follow over the reported failure of the building's fire detection alarm system.
Ong said residents left the meeting disappointed.
"Sana naman if they call for a meeting where we all have to go - you know nagbabantay pa rin kami sa ICU. Sana naman make it productive. Hindi lang parang they’re buying time. They were trying to show pa of how the system was supposed to work pero hindi nga nag-work.. The point is hindi nga nag work ang FDAS nila, so what next? That’s what we need to know right now."
Residents also sought clarification regarding the condominium's insurance coverage, but Ong said many questions remained unanswered.
"We’ve been asking for it pero they could not share it with us. When we asked questions during the town hall they could not elaborate kung ano yung nakalagay sa policy. So, hindi nila alam or ayaw nilang sabihin..."
BFP continues investigation
The Bureau of Fire Protection said its investigation has now entered the progress reporting stage.
According to BFP spokesperson Fire Superintendent Anthony Arroyo, debris and electrical wiring recovered from the scene are currently being examined by the BFP Arson Laboratory. Investigators are also set to review CCTV footage as part of the probe.
The bureau expects to release its official investigation report within 30 to 45 days.
Arroyo also encouraged residents and witnesses to submit their statements to either the Quezon City Fire District Central Office or the Libis Fire Station to help investigators piece together what happened during the fire.
Ong, who recently submitted her own statement, said many residents were unaware that the BFP had invited witnesses to come forward because they allegedly never received the notice from the condominium administration.
"They (BFP) knew about the fire and they asked me about the invitation letter. I have not seen a copy of the letter. A lot of the residents don’t have a copy of the letter. It’s very important because that should be part of the investigation."
Management declines interview
When asked for comment, representatives of Olympic Heights Condominium declined requests for an interview.
The management said its priority remains the recovery and welfare of affected residents, adding that it continues to cooperate and coordinate with government authorities while the investigation is ongoing.
As the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) continues its investigation into the incident, one of the biggest questions raised by residents is why the building's reported fire detection and smoke alarm system failed during the emergency.
For Anna Ong, the issue is no longer just about what caused the fire. She says her family's focus is now on what assistance the condominium management will provide to those who lost their homes or are still recovering from serious injuries.
Her brother remains confined in the intensive care unit (ICU), while two other relatives are still undergoing treatment after they became trapped on the 29th floor during the fire.
"They were stranded on the 29th floor. They could not find the way to the fire exit because of the thick black toxic smoke of their floor. They had to wait it out. They were exposed to the toxic smoke for hours before they were brought down."
According to Ong, representatives from First Oceanic Property Management (FOPM) later visited her family in the hospital, but she said the meeting failed to provide concrete solutions.
"...they could not give us any solutions to our problems. Also, they visited a few days after the incident happened… pero up to now we don’t have a clear solution of what’s going to happen with the residents and also with my brother who’s still in the ICU."
She also claimed that the financial assistance initially offered by the property management was far from enough to cover the family's growing medical expenses.
"They offered… had a cheque with them and on the cheque was written an amount. That is not even an eighth of the expenses we incurred due to their negligence.”
Residents say town hall left more questions than answers
Many homeowners were hoping a June 28 town hall meeting would finally provide updates and a concrete recovery plan. The meeting was attended by the condominium's Board of Trustees, representatives from FOPM, legal counsel, and residents.
Instead, Ong described the three-hour discussion as confusing and unproductive.
"Although the meeting lasted for three hours, it was really inconclusive. During the meeting, it was chaotic. They were not organized. They were pointing fingers at each other and also … the third party agency - the one who supplied the fire detection alarm system. No clear answers from anyone.”
Residents wanted to know what support would be provided to displaced families, how hospitalized victims would be assisted, and what accountability would follow over the reported failure of the building's fire detection alarm system.
Ong said residents left the meeting disappointed.
"Sana naman if they call for a meeting where we all have to go - you know nagbabantay pa rin kami sa ICU. Sana naman make it productive. Hindi lang parang they’re buying time. They were trying to show pa of how the system was supposed to work pero hindi nga nag-work.. The point is hindi nga nag work ang FDAS nila, so what next? That’s what we need to know right now."
Residents also sought clarification regarding the condominium's insurance coverage, but Ong said many questions remained unanswered.
"We’ve been asking for it pero they could not share it with us. When we asked questions during the town hall they could not elaborate kung ano yung nakalagay sa policy. So, hindi nila alam or ayaw nilang sabihin..."
BFP continues investigation
The Bureau of Fire Protection said its investigation has now entered the progress reporting stage.
According to BFP spokesperson Fire Superintendent Anthony Arroyo, debris and electrical wiring recovered from the scene are currently being examined by the BFP Arson Laboratory. Investigators are also set to review CCTV footage as part of the probe.
The bureau expects to release its official investigation report within 30 to 45 days.
Arroyo also encouraged residents and witnesses to submit their statements to either the Quezon City Fire District Central Office or the Libis Fire Station to help investigators piece together what happened during the fire.
Ong, who recently submitted her own statement, said many residents were unaware that the BFP had invited witnesses to come forward because they allegedly never received the notice from the condominium administration.
"They (BFP) knew about the fire and they asked me about the invitation letter. I have not seen a copy of the letter. A lot of the residents don’t have a copy of the letter. It’s very important because that should be part of the investigation."
Management declines interview
When asked for comment, representatives of Olympic Heights Condominium declined requests for an interview.
The management said its priority remains the recovery and welfare of affected residents, adding that it continues to cooperate and coordinate with government authorities while the investigation is ongoing.
Jul 1, 2026
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