A huge fire has broken out in the Filipino capital city of Manila, in a closely built slum area.
The Manila Fire District said that around 1,000 homes have been completely burned in the blaze, leaving thousands homeless.
There have been no reports of casualties so far in the fire, which is thought to have started on the second floor of a home.
Drone footage of the flames show houses in the Isla Puting Bato village of Manila falling to the ground.
According to the city’s fire department, the mass structure had housed over 2,000 families.
Resident Leonila Abiertas, 65, said she lost almost all of her possessions in the blaze, but was luckily able to save her late husband’s ashes.
‘I only got the urn with the ashes of my husband,’ she told AFP.
‘I really don’t know how I can start my life again after this fire’.
Senior Inspector Alejandro Ramos, who is the intelligence and investigation chief of the Manila Fire Department said that most of the homes were made of light, combustible materials, making them very flammable.
The Philippine Air Force deployed two aircrafts to assist in the firefighting efforts, which took eight hours to put out, local news reported.
‘We will ensure that the evacuees receive cash aid, food, and materials for rebuilding their homes through our local government,’ Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna said in a statement.
‘We must come together to support the fire victims in this time of great need.’
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