A devastating fire swept through a densely populated shanty town along the coast of Manila, leaving at least 2,000 families homeless. The blaze, which raged for nearly eight hours, destroyed hundreds of makeshift homes and turned the area into a smoldering wasteland. Eyewitnesses described the fire spreading rapidly due to strong winds and the highly flammable materials used to construct the informal settlements.
Residents scrambled to save what little they could, but the intensity of the flames forced many to flee with just the clothes on their backs. Emergency responders worked tirelessly to contain the inferno, but the congested layout of the settlement and narrow pathways hindered firefighting efforts. The thick smoke could be seen billowing into the sky from miles away, underscoring the scale of the destruction.
Local officials have declared a state of emergency, pledging to provide temporary shelters and relief aid to the displaced families. Many survivors are now relying on government assistance and the kindness of strangers to meet their basic needs. The tragedy has reignited calls for better housing policies and fire safety measures in informal settlements, which are often vulnerable to such disasters.
