Around 50 families lost their homes on Wednesday night after fire gutted several houses in Sampaloc, Manila.
Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) authorities in Manila said the fire started in a house located on Galicia St. in Barangay 401, Sampaloc, around 8 p.m. and reached the third alarm.
The fire was put under control around 9:20 p.m.
According to Sampaloc Fire Station chief Cpt. Hector Agadulin, more than 20 houses were destroyed.
Armando Lawartes, a resident in the area, said he was surprised to see fire in the compound and immediately evacuated the area along with several other residents.
The fire quickly spread as the houses were built on light materials. Fire trucks also had a difficult time entering the compound due to narrow streets, and the fire trucks also ran out of water after a while before the fire was completely put out.
An unidentified victim was rushed to the hospital due to minor injuries on the head and feet.
The victims were temporarily housed in a barangay daycare center nearby. Authorities are still trying the determine the cause of the fire.
