Malabon fire razes 400 houses

MANILA, Philippines - At least 400 houses were destroyed in a five-hour predawn fire at a squatters’ area in Barangay Maysilo, Malabon City yesterday, leaving at least 800 families homeless.

The fire, whose origin is still undetermined, reached fifth alarm and destroyed property worth P2.5 million before it was put out at around 7:15 a.m. by firefighters on five government firetrucks and 30 firetrucks from volunteer groups. No one was reported hurt.

Fire Officer 2 Neil Sanglitan said firemen hooked up at least 10 water hoses measuring around 500 feet and stood on the roofs of neighboring houses before they could reach the fire. – Jerry Botial, Pete Laude