Manila Times/Manila

Some 200 homes were gutted when a huge fire swept through a squatters’ area in Mandaluyong City yesterday, leaving some 1,000 families homeless.
Mayor Benhur Abalos said the fire, believed to have been caused by faulty electrical wiring, razed the informal settlers’ area along Barangay Addition Hills.
He said it was the biggest fire to hit the city in its history.
Abalos said at least five barangay halls and basketball courts will be used as evacuation centres for the affected families.
Superintendent Samuel Tadeo, fire marshal of the District 4 of the National Capital Region Fire Department, said the fire started in the house of Jopay located at Block 32, Molave St., in Barangay Addition Hills at 2.34pm yesterday.
Tadeo said strong winds fanned the fire towards adjacent houses made of light materials.
Abalos said firemen had a hard time entering the area because the streets were narrow.
A helicopter responded and helped control the blaze that reached Task Force Alpha, which saw all fire trucks in Metro Manila responding.
Eastern Police District (EPD) director Chief Supt. Elmer Jamias ordered the local police to re-route traffic.
According to Jamias, a man was also rushed to the hospital after a fire truck ran over his leg.