400 families homeless in Malabon fire

MANILA, Philippines - At least 400 families were left homeless when a fire broke out at a residential area in Barangay Tonsuya, Malabon City Tuesday night.

Six persons were injured in the fire, arson probers said.

John Michael Aluntaga; Roderick Cruz; Nino Cruz, Mark Anthony de la Cruz, 25; Ogie Basco, 17, and Rodel Mabute, 38, were taken to the Pagamutang Bayan ng Malabon for treatment.

Initial reports said the fire broke out in a house owned by Lydia Espejo along C. Perez street at around 8:45 p.m.

The blaze spread to 200 houses in the area.

The fire reached the fifth alarm before it was put out before midnight.

Damage to property was estimated at P2 million.

Malabon Mayor Antolin Oreta ordered the distribution of relief goods to the affected families.