A three-hour fire razed a residential area in Sta. Mesa, Manila on Sunday leaving more than 400 families homeless.
Probers said the fire broke out at about 10 p.m. and gutted down houses along Valencia and Anonas streets. It was tapped out shortly before 1 a.m.
Most of the affected residents said were already asleep but awakened by loud sounds from explosions believed caused by liquefied petroleum gas tanks.
Some families were lucky to save part of their belongings, including pets, but others were unable to save anything.
The fire reached the third alarm before it was declared under control by 12:46 a.m.
“Ngayon umabot tayo ng third alarm dahil it is composed of light materials sa isang cluster na yon. So nahirapan tayo. Kaya very challenging ‘yung volume of water that is being provided to the firefighters, ‘yung frontliners natin,” Manila Fire District chief of operations Inspector Jude delos Reyes told reporters.
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said over 200 houses were affected by the fire.
The homeless residents were temporarily staying at a chapel in the barangay.
The Manila Social Welfare department said they will extend assistance to the victims, and request for assistance to help residents repair their houses.