30 families homeless in Mandaluyong blaze

MANILA, Philippines — A man was hurt in a fire that destroyed a junkshop and five homes and rendered around 30 families homeless in Mandaluyong City Sunday night.

The fire started at a junkshop owned by Felix Lumondang in Barangay Addition Hills at around 8:37 p.m., according to reports reaching the Bureau of Fire Protection in Mandaluyong.

Witnesses claimed someone was cooking dinner but left the gas stove on to go an errand.

Neighbors said they smelled something burning but they thought someone was grilling food. They said they were surprised when a fire broke out at the junkshop and strong winds fanned the flames toward five adjacent houses.

A resident, identified only as Kevin, was injured when he stepped on glass shards as he helped firefighters.

The fire damaged P200,000 worth of property and reached third alarm before it was put out at around 10:22 p.m.

The affected families were given shelter at the basketball court of Barangay Addition Hills as Mayor Menchie Abalos attended to their basic needs.