Pinay missing in London fire

MANILA, Philippines -  A Filipina residing at Grenfell Tower in London is missing after a fire razed the high-rise building Wednesday morning, Sen. Joel Villanueva disclosed yesterday.

No Filipino fatalities have been reported so far, but there were those injured during the fire, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

Authorities have yet to determine the exact number of Filipinos affected by the blaze.

In an interview with reporters at the Senate, Villanueva identified the missing Filipina as Ligaya Moore, a member of the Jesus is Lord (JIL) church in London.

Villanueva, whose father Eddie heads the JIL, said members of the church informed him that Moore is living alone in London and is a regular member of the church located right across Grenfell.

“Up to this time we (are) looking for her, trying to locate her. We have not heard anything yet,” Villanueva said, adding Moore’s unit was on the 21st floor.

“We’re still praying, very hopeful that we will find her,” he added.

Villanueva said Moore has family in the Philippines.

DFA spokesman Robespierre Bolivar said representatives of the Philippine embassy in the United Kingdom have already visited Filipinos taken to hospital for treatment of injuries.

He said Filipinos living near the tower were advised not to go back to their homes until the situation stabilizes. “Several Filipinos and Filipino-Britons affected by the fire are now in hospital and in shelters/evacuation centers,” the DFA said.

The emergency shelters include the St. Clement’s Church, St. Francis of Assisi Church and the Portobello Rugby Club on Walmer.

Grenfell Tower was a 27-story council housing estate with 120 homes in north Kensington. The cause of the fire remains unknown.

“The embassy is still closely monitoring the situation and there have been appeals to the Filipino community in the UK for assistance to Filipinos who may have been affected,” Bolivar said.

Malacañang, through presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella, vowed to provide assistance to the Filipino fire victims as it condoled with the loved ones of those who perished. – With Pia Lee-Brago, Alexis Romero