Flames engulf Manila shanty town, leaving thousands homeless

Cheryl Ravelo / Reuters

Residents untie the hose of a cement mixer to douse water on a fire engulfing houses at a slum community in Manila on May 11. At least 1000 houses were razed in the fire, the cause of which is yet unknown, leaving 5000 families homeless, local media reported.

Cheryl Ravelo / Reuters

Residents paddle their makeshift boat to safety as fire engulfs houses at a slum community in Manila on May 11.

Francis R. Malasig / EPA

Filipino residents flee from a fire at a shanty town in Manila, Philippines, May 11. According to initial reports from fire investigators, around 5,000 residents lost their houses built on top of a breakwater at Port of Manila dock area. Chief Inspector Bonifacio Carta of the Manila Fire Department said that they coordinated with the Philippine Coast Guard and asked for additional fire boats to support in controlling the blaze.

Pat Roque / AP

A man floats in the water with some of his belongings as his neighborhood is engulfed in fire on May 11 in a slum area in Manila, Philippines. Officials say the fire that swept through a sprawling squatters' colony on Manila Bay's rim has left two people missing and some 10,000 others homeless.

Francis R. Malasig / EPA

Filipino residents are seen during a fire at a shanty town in Manila, Philippines, on May 11. According to initial reports from fire investigators, around 5,000 residents lost their houses built on top of a breakwater at Port of Manila dock area. Chief Inspector Bonifacio Carta of the Manila Fire Department said that they coordinated with the Philippine Coast Guard and asked for additional fire boats to support in controlling the blaze.

Discuss this post

they dont make shanty houses like they used tooo i pray the people are okay

    Reply#1 - Fri May 11, 2012 11:30 AM EDT

    Av never been to Philippines to confirm. but can anyone tell me what is the course of search adverse poverty?

      Reply#2 - Fri May 11, 2012 12:08 PM EDT

      Easy, look at the size of the Philippine economy, GDP, etc...Their economy is closely tied with their ASEAN neighbors and their economy is limited by their trade bilateral relations with ASEAN. The Philippines slowly starting to develop bilateral relations outside of ASEAN group.

        #2.1 - Fri May 11, 2012 2:11 PM EDT
        Reply

        Such a terrible thing to happen. Where will their help come from?

          Reply#3 - Fri May 11, 2012 12:41 PM EDT

          HAHAHAHA. Thus more lives return to the soul stream guided to Terra the resting place of all souls. these fools caused thei own demise.

            Reply#4 - Mon May 14, 2012 4:02 PM EDT
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