MANILA, Philippines – Thirty houses were razed in a fire that hit a community in Sampaloc, Manila on Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.
The blaze, which struck Barangay 422 in Algeciras Extension, Sampaloc, reportedly started in the house of a certain Jose Poliquin.
The fire reached fourth alarm, even as LPG tanks stored in several houses exploded, according to witnesses.
Firefighters had to break down the walls of some houses in order to put out the blaze.
The fire, which began at 3 p.m., was put out 2 hours later.
Two people were reportedly injured.
An amateur video footage from Fire Officer 2 Lords Henandez showed some residents grabbing firefighters’ hoses to force them to put out the blaze in their homes first.
“Narinig ko na lang may sumabog! Ang laki-laki na bigla ng apoy,” said one of the victims, Ligaya Estacio.
Affected families were temporarily housed at a nearby public school.
Arson investigators are still looking into the cause of the fire. – Chiara Zambrano
