MANILA, Philippines - Close to 300 houses made of light materials were razed in a fire that struck a shanty town in Muntinlupa City on Christmas night.
According to the Muntinlupa Fire Department, close to 600 persons were left homeless by the fire that engulfed Purok 6 in Barangay Bayanan.
The fire started at about 7:50 p.m. and quickly reached the fifth alarm. Responding firefighters put out the fire at about 11:25 p.m.
No one died in the fire according to the Muntinlupa Fire Department but three people were slightly injured. Rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment were Emerson Mirabelen, 31, who had lacerated arms and legs; Joey del Rosario, 21, (lacerated arms) and Abert Agos, 34, (multiple lacerations on the right foot).
Those displaced by the fire are now staying at evacuation centers provided by the Muntinlupa City government, the fire department said.
Meanwhile, arson investigators are still looking into the cause of the fire.