Fire razes homes in Manila squatter community

MANILA, Philippines – Fire swept through a community of squatters in Manila’s San Andres Bukid district Saturday morning, razing dozens of homes before firemen placed the fire under control an hour later.

Nobody was reported hurt.

Scores of shanties were gobbled up by fire, which investigators said started in house at 2530 Granate Street. The fire quickly spread to other houses made of light materials near the corner of Onyx Street and Zobel Roxas Avenue. Onyx runs parallel to Granate Street.

An initial report from the Manila Fire District showed that the blaze started at 10:18 a.m., and was placed under control at 11:19 a.m.

Arson investigators have yet to determine the cause of the fire and amount of damage.

Originally posted at 12:27 pm | Saturday, February 18,  2012