MANILA, Philippines — (UPDATE – 10:11 a.m.) A fire razed more than 100 houses, displacing at least 250 families in Barangay 645, San Miguel, Manila early Tuesday morning.
The blaze, which broke out past 3 a.m., is believed to have started by an unattended candle at the third floor of the home of Oriel Degala and quickly spread among houses mostly made of light materials.
It took more than three hours before the fire, which reached Task Force Bravo — meaning at least 18 engines are supposed to respond — could be declared under control.
One family manage to save the casket of a dead relative from a wake.
Many of the affected residents gathered in front of the San Miguel church with whatever belongings they managed to save.
Barangay captain Jerry Bolante said they would also set up tents on a basketball court beside the church to shelter the displaced families.
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