LUCENA CITY – About a hundred families lost their homes in an hour-long fire that hit a densely populated area at the back of the public market of Tayabas City in Quezon province on Saturday.

The fire of still unknown origin broke out at around 9:30 a.m. in an informal settlers’ area behind the market in Barangay Angeles, gutting at least 40 houses made of light materials,  said Supt. Giovanni Caliao, Tayabas police chief.

READ: Fire hits Tayabas City residential area

Most of the burned houses were shanties set up close to each other, razing them to the ground before the fire was put under control at around 10:30 a.m., he said.

Some of the fire victims were evacuated to a nearby public elementary school, Caliao said over the phone.

Caliao said they have no report of injury among the fire victims.

According to Tayabas Councilor Wenda Saberola, quoting reports from barangay officials, more than 100 families were affected by the fire, but there was no exact figure yet of the affected individuals.

“There is no final report yet from the police and fire authorities,” she told the Inquirer in a text message.

Calio said investigators have yet to determine what caused the fire.

The public market was not affected by the blaze, he added.