MANILA, Philippines – At least 200 families are now homeless after a fire broke out before lunch Tuesday, 22 October 2019, at a residential area in Quiricada, Sta.Cruz, Maynila.

Firemen claimed alarm on the fire went up around 11:50 in the morning Tuesday, and believed to have originated on the third floor of an apartment house owned by Mamaril family.

Arson investigators averred more than 100 houses were eaten up by the fire in which fire investigators are still trying to determine the cause.

Putting out the noontime inferno proved to be a big challenge to firemen and local volunteers because the affected houses were accordingly made from light materials.

Fittingly, the affected residential area is right behind the Manila Central Fire Station and right in front of the San lazaro Hospital.

Of this writing, firefighters have yet to declare a total fire out. (Mike Taboy/BCuaresma/IAmigo/CNS)