Tondo fire leaves 70 families homeless

MANILA, Philippines -  At least 70 families were left homeless when a two-hour fire broke out at a residential area in Tondo, Manila before dawn yesterday.

The fire reportedly started at the house of Pablo del Rosario at the corner of Leyte and Laguna streets in Gagalangin at around 1:30 a.m.

Inspector Jay Efren Ba-awa of the Manila Fire Department said the blaze could have been caused by faulty wiring.

Wilson Sapolmo, 43, said a power outage hit the area prior to the fire.

Firemen prevented the flames from spreading to a nearby gasoline station.

No one was reported injured in the fire, which was declared under control at around 3:30 a.m.

Damage to property was placed at P150,000.