A major fire broke out in a slum in Manila, the Philippine capital, this Sunday, November 24. Around 1,000 homes are already affected.
Manila, devoured by flames. A fire broke out in a slum in the capital of the Philippines this Sunday, November 24, the city's fire department told AFP. Hundreds of homes have already been swept away by the flames. Images broadcast by the authorities, and relayed in particular by TF1 Info, reveal impressive flames and thick black smoke, testifying to the scale of the disaster. “This area is prone to fire, as most houses are made of lightweight materials“, explained to AFP a firefighter, Geanelli Nunez. The fire department specifies that around 1,000 homes in total would have been burned.
Two helicopters, 36 trucks and four boats
For the moment, no casualties have been reported. According to firefighters, around 2,000 families resided in the shantytown, located in the Isla Puting Bato district, near the port, specifies AFP. Some lost everything, like Leonila Abiertas, 65, who was only able to save the urn which houses the ashes of her deceased husband. “I really don't know how I'm going to start my life again after this fire.“, she told the press agency. Two Air Force helicopters, 36 trucks and four fire boats are now hard at work trying to put out the flames.
The local newspaper, the Manila Times, specifies that “Emergency responders continue to monitor the situation and efforts to assist displaced residents are underway.“
published on November 24 at 6:00 p.m., Marion Gauvain, 6Medias
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