Manila fire leaves 500 families homeless

MANILA, Philippines - A volunteer fireman was slightly injured during the blaze in Manila, which razed around 200 houses Thursday early morning, leaving around 500 families homeless.

Reports said that  Jeffrey Jerus ng Escolta was wounded after his hand was caught on a roof of one of the houses during the fire.

The blaze reportedly started around 5 a.m. at the printing press of Larry Pimentel on Barangay 312 at the corner of Doroteo Jose and Oroqueta streets in Sta. Cruz, Manila.

The flames quickly spread to adjacent makeshift houses in the area because most of the structures were made of light materials. 

Arson investigators placed the cost of damage to property at P1 million.