In Case of Fire: Stories and Lessons from Bomberos de Manila

Sirens are often part of Metro Manila's soundtrack. Sometimes it's the police, an ambulance rushing a patient to the hospital, or a fire truck.

And fire truck sirens? Those are the ones that often feel a little heavier and linger a little longer.

It is a sound so intense that it can often be heard from a mile away. It cuts through traffic and signals motorists and pedestrians alike to give way. It’s a sound that can blast through any given time of day, even cutting through the silence of the night when most people are already asleep.

There’s something about it that feels different—more urgent, more final. As if every second matters in a way we can’t quite see.

Because somewhere, something is burning.

March, being Fire Prevention Month in the Philippines, puts that reality a little more front and center. It’s a reminder that fires aren’t just distant incidents we hear about—they’re real, immediate, and often closer to home than we think.

And yet, like everything else in the city, even that urgency fades. The siren passes, the noise settles, and life moves on. We usually don't think about where that fire truck is headed, who’s inside it, or what they’re about to face.

That changed for me when I joined the Bumberos de Manila walking tour.

What I thought would be a simple city experience became something far more grounding—a glimpse into the world behind those sirens. Not just the trucks or the equipment, but the people who respond when the rest of the city is trying to get away.

After that day, the sound of a fire truck didn’t feel like just another part of the noise. It felt like a story in motion—one that starts long before the siren, and doesn’t end when it fades.

What is the Bomberos de Manila Fire Station Historic Tour?

The Bumberos de Manila Fire Station Tour is a special tour organized by Renaciemento Manila that takes us to four historic fire stations around Manila to learn about the evolution of firefighting and hear stories about the stations themselves. It's a tour that aims to put a spotlight on our firefighters, to honor the "Bomberos" who have dedicated their lives to guarding Manila for generations as we observe Fire Prevention Month this March. 

The tour consisted of visiting the following fire stations:

• San Nicolas Fire Station
• Intramuros Fire Station
• Santa Cruz Fire Station 
• Paco Fire Station 

Whether you're a content creator, someone who enjoys learning about history, a curious Manileño, or even a student, there's something here for you to learn! 

A Walk Through History: The Firefighters of Manila

Our tour was led by subject expert Dr. Peter Rallos. While we walked to the first fire station, the Intramuros Fire Station, to get to the rest of the stations, we took a rental jeep. I learned so many interesting things during the Bomberos de Manila Historic Tour 

First Stop: Intramuros Fire Station 

Did you know that during the Spanish time in the Philippines, there were no regular firefighters? Back then, it was the street sweepers' job to drag Manila's antiquated and only fire wagon to the scene.

And before the modern-day fire trucks that we know of, the old fire truck was horse-drawn? The horses were also imported because the Philippine horses were small. 

 It was only in 1913 that it was replaced by a Christie front-drive motor-tractor from New York City, which improved the firefighters' response time and was more cost-efficient. 

Second Stop: San Niccolas Fire Station

Inside San Nicolas fire station, you'll find a small museum where you can learn about the history of Manila City's firefighters. This is through the effort of one of the previous fire chiefs of the station, who was also a history buff, Jacinto Lorenzo, who served from 1935-1944. 

Old uniforms, as well as old firefighting gear and photos of firefighters from way back when, are displayed in this museum. And yes, you can actually visit this museum in the station, and it's completely free! 

Back in the old days, in the Spanish period, to be exact, there were no fire alarms. When a fire broke out anywhere in Manila, it was announced by a special tolling of church bells. Five strokes meant the fire was in Binondo, seven strokes meant a fire in Quiapo, ten strokes meant a fire in Quiapo, etc.  The telephones were also used to report fires back then. 

It was in July 1902 that an 80-box Gamewell Fire Alarm System replaced the church bells in Manila and telephones as the means of reporting fire emergencies. Back then, firefighters would listen to the alarm to determine where the fire was located. They had to memorize number codes and depending on the location, the station nearest to it would be the one to respond. 

A look inside the old Gamewell Fire Alarm System 

Today, these fire alarm systems are no longer around. Only a handful remain that were recovered around the City of Manila. One is still located inside the Tanduay Fire Station. 

Third Stop: Tanduay Fire Station 

At Tanduay Fire Station, we saw the old American Le France City Ladder Truck.  It was a truck that was made specifically to carry long ladders since back in the old days, fire trucks did not have everything with them. 

Did you know that there are only two of this specific model that remain intact? The other can be found in Toronto, Canada. 

And here's a look at the modern fire truck. It's come a long way from being pulled by horses! It now has compartments for storing firefighting gear. 

Last Stop: Paco Fire Station 

At Paco Fire Station, we were taught how to put out a fire. They showed us how to use a fire extinguisher and put out a fire if an LPG tank caught fire. 

I found this historic tour very refreshing. It was a different kind of history - one I didn't learn from school! I'm so glad I went on this tour. It gave me a deeper appreciation of the firefighters. This historical walking tour was done during Fire Prevention month. 

Renaciemento Manila is a cultural organization that's working towards the Cultural Rebirth of Manila. They hold various tours and even talks every month.

Bomberos de Manila Historical Tour is the second tour I've attended that they organized. I previously attended their Sunset Walking Tour, which you can also read about.