A large fire ravaged a slum area in the Philippines’ capital Manila during Sunday morning, several media reports.
Manila’s emergency services state that around a thousand homes have been completely destroyed, but no casualties have yet been reported, writes Channel News Asia.
– I only brought the urn that contains the ashes from my husband. I really don’t know how to rebuild my life after this fire,” Manila resident Leonila Abiertas, 65, told the channel.
Thick black smoke and high flames covered the Philippines capital Manila during Sunday morning. According to several of the country’s media, the fire must have started on the second floor of an apartment building in one of the city’s slums and then quickly spread.
– That area is prone to fire because most of the houses there are made of light and flammable material, says firefighter Geanelli Nunez to the AFP news agency.
1000 homes completely destroyed
It is currently reported that around 1,000 homes have been completely destroyed in the fire and around 3,000 people have been evacuated. There are no reports of any casualties yet. Media reports about people who managed to escape from the flames at the last second, without taking any possessions with them.
Manila resident Leonila Abiertas, 65, lost almost all of her possessions, but managed to save her late husband’s ashes, Channel News Asia reports.
– I only brought the urn that contains the ashes from my husband. I really don’t know how I can rebuild my life after this fire, she says.
A large rescue operation was underway in the city during the morning where 36 units from the rescue service, several ambulances and helicopters worked to extinguish the fire.