The Associated Press
MANILA, Philippines — A fire early Monday destroyed more than 200 shanties in a squatter colony north of Manila, killing one resident, injuring six others and leaving about 5,000 people homeless, officials said.
The fire started before dawn inside narrow alleys in the Manila suburb of Malabon, prompting firefighters to close nearby roads as they struggled to navigate the small streets. Exploding electrical transformers hampered the work.
Some residents tried to take hoses away from firefighters to save their own homes, Radio DZBB reported.
Mayor Canuto Oreta said at least one person was killed and six injured, while about 5,000 people were rendered homeless.
“Each house had up to three families. Our problem now is setting up temporary shelters for the families because schools have classes here,” he told Radio DZBB.
Fire investigators suspected that a candle left unattended may have started the fire.