250 families lose homes in Tondo fire

MANILA, Philippines - Around 250 families lost their homes when a four-hour fire broke out in Tondo, Manila at dawn yesterday.

Arson investigators said the fire razed at least 140 shanties in Parola Compound.

No one was injured in the incident.

Fire Officer 2 Edilberto Cruz said the blaze broke out at Gate 20, Pier 2 at 1:30 a.m. 

Flames spread quickly as the shanties were made of combustible materials, Cruz said.

The fire reached the fifth alarm before it was put out by firefighters.

Damage to property was estimated at P1 million.

Arson probers have yet to determine the cause of the fire.