300 families lose homes in Quiapo fire

MANILA, Philippines - At least 300 families lost their homes when a fire broke out near the Golden Mosque in Quiapo, Manila yesterday afternoon.

The fire reportedly started at the top floor of a three-story shanty owned by Datu Ali, at the corner of Globo de Oro and Elizondo streets at around 4:08 p.m., Police Officer 2 Ryan Punzalan said. Seven minutes later, the Manila Fire Department said the fire was at fifth alarm, spreading to houses surrounding the Golden Mosque, which was “slightly damaged.”

Authorities pegged the damage at about P1 million.

A 20-year-old man, Jabar Marangit, suffered third degree burns. The fire was put out at around 5:48 p.m.