100 families homeless after Manila fires

MANILA, Philippines - Over 100 families were rendered homeless after two fires hit Manila yesterday morning.

The fires in Port Area and Sta. Cruz also razed some P500,000 worth of properties, according to reports of the Manila Fire Bureau.

The first blaze incident started at 1:22 a.m. at the shanty occupied by the family of one Jerry Dalsan at Block 7 Old Site, Baseco Compound in Port Area.

Fire Officer 2 Lords Hernandez said the fire, which reached fifth alarm, quickly spread to some 50 other houses that were mostly made of light materials before it was put off at 2:34 a.m.

The second fire occurred at 8:50 a.m. and razed at least five houses along Norte Street in Sta. Cruz, a few meters away from San Lazaro Hospital.

Hernandez, who himself suffered first-degree burns on the left wrist during the incident, said the fire started at 1357 Norte Street which was owned by one Eduardo Manlulu.

The blaze reached the fourth alarm and was declared out at 9:38 a.m.

Hernandez said that the firefighters were able to quickly respond and contain the fire because the site of the incident was just about 200 meters away from the fire station.

Apart from Hernandez, no other person was reported injured or killed in the two fires.

Arson investigators said they were still conducting further investigation to determine the cause of both fires.