[A Massive Fire Devastates Philippine Slum Neighborhood, Leaving Thousands Homeless
A massive fire swept through a coastal shanty town in Manila, Philippines, on Sunday, leaving at least 2,000 families homeless. The blaze, which burned for nearly eight hours, destroyed around 1,000 houses and displaced approximately 8,000 people. Drone footage showed massive orange flames engulfing the densely packed stilt homes in Isla Puting Bato, a squalid area of Tondo, Manila.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but it is often sparked by faulty electrical wiring or gas canisters in Manila’s slums. The shanty town, where many residents live in shabby shacks across densely packed streets near a busy commercial port, is home to around 654,220 people.
There have been no immediate reports of casualties, and photos show residents escaping the fire on makeshift rafts into the sea, scrambling to salvage their belongings. Elvira Valdemoro, a 58-year-old shop owner, was devastated by the damage, saying, “I feel bad because we have no livelihood and no home. Everything is gone. We don’t know how we can eat. We are in a very bad situation, and it’s almost Christmas.”
Manila Mayor Maria Sheilah “Honey” Lacuna-Pangan visited the affected area on Monday, speaking with survivors who spent the night in makeshift tents. She urged residents to register voluntarily and evacuate to a temporary shelter, where meals and supplies would be provided. “Please be patient. We will keep coming to deliver help. No one wanted this to happen,” she said. “We will help all of you. Don’t lose hope. Let’s help each other out ahead of Christmas time, we really hope to get you back to your homes.”
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