Fire destroys 20 houses in Navotas

MANILA, Philippines - At least 20 houses were razed during a two-hour fire in Navotas Monday night.

Chief Inspector Eduardo Bisbal, city fire marshall, said the blaze started in a house on M. De Vera street in Barangay Sipac-Almasen at around 8:40 p.m.

The fire reached fifth alarm before it was put out at around 11 p.m. 

Most of the 40 families left homeless by the fire said they did not have a chance to save their belongings because the flames spread quickly.

A four-year-old boy was hospitalized for second-degree burns. 

Police are now looking for a certain Mayang Bolano, who was reportedly responsible for the fire.

Meanwhile, three detainees at the adjacent Navotas City Jail escaped during the commotion but were immediately recaptured.

Senior Inspector Joey Gebosera, jail warden, said the detainees, whom he did not name, suffered lacerations when they scaled the perimeter fence and the barbed wire on top of it.