Fire rips through a poor community in Philippines capital of Manila, leaving eight people dead, including six children, and destroying 80 houses, fire officials say
More than 13 million people live in the densely populated capital, with tens of thousands in overcrowded slums where fires are common.
Eight people have died, including six children, after a fire ripped through a poor community in the Philippines capital of Manila and destroyed 80 houses, a fire official said. Another three people were injured in the blaze which started on Monday around 5:00 am on the second floor of a house in a crowded, informal settlement inside the sprawling campus of the University of the Philippines.
It took nearly two hours to extinguish the inferno, Senior Fire Officer Greg Bichayda told the AFP news agency.The victims were trapped inside their homes as "the fire spread quickly", Bichayda said."The houses consist of light materials. When the fire broke out, people were shocked," Bichayda said.More than 13 million people live in the densely populated capital, with tens of thousands in overcrowded slums where fires are common.