Residents of the San Miguel district in Manila, located in the Philippines, were forced to evacuate their homes on the 16th August after a fire broke out, leaving many homeless.
Families affected by the blaze waited directly by the nearby Malacanang Palace gates with their pets, furniture and clothes while they waited for either assistance or a go-to signal why authorities which would allow them to return to their households.
According to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the fire struck at around 3.30am on the 16th August in Barangay 645, Zone 67, and the fire itself was declared as under control by around 7am. However, by that point, 2000 people and close to 400 families were left homeless according to Joel Coronel, the Manila Police District (MPD) Chief Superintendent.
As well as this, Coronel also claimed that 80% of Barangay 645 had been impacted by the fire, which emerged from a house containing no electricity. At time of wiring, the police believe that the fire started after a candle was left unattended, however they aren’t ruling out the possibility that the candle was potentially used in a drug session.
