MANILA, Philippines-- While the nation was celebrating the victory of boxing idol Manny Pacquiao, families in Sta. Ana, Manila, were devastated because they lost everything they had to a fire that hit the area Sunday morning.
Arson investigators said fire hit the residential area on Kapampangan Street, Pasig Line, Sta. Ana around 11:40 a.m., leaving hundreds of families homeless.
The blaze started on the second floor of a two-story house owned by one Alard Sioson. It quickly spread to 30 other adjacent houses, which were mostly made of light materials.
Fire officials have yet to determine the cause of the blaze and its estimated damage to property.
But Fire Officer 1 Lords Hernandez said they were looking into reports that prior to the fire, several residents were without electricity because some Manila Electric Company (Meralco) personnel initiated a campaign against those apparently engaged in illegal electrical connections.
No one was reported injured or killed in the fire, which was put out around 1:20 p.m.