Fire destroys 50 houses in Tondo, angry mob mauls alleged suspect

Around 50 houses were destroyed in a fire that hit Tondo, Manila on Saturday night, provoking some residents to hurt the man who allegedly started the fire.

According to a report by Vonne Aquino on GMA News TV's Balitanghali Weekend on Sunday, the fire reached the fourth alarm before it was put out at around midnight.

A hundred families were left homeless. There were no fatalities but six people sustained minor injuries.

The cost of damage was estimated to be P1 million.

According to authorities, the fire easily spread because there were no firewalls in the residential area and the houses were made of light materials.

Meanwhile, a resident was mauled by the angry mob after they alleged he started the fire.

The man, identified as Aldrin Manansala, supposedly played with spray paint and his lighter.

"Sa bintana po naglalaro po siya ng lighter tsaka 'yung pintura po. Eh andito kami sa labas nakita ko po siya," resident Rowell Bartolome said.

Manansala and his relative denied the accusation.

"Wala po. Hindi po ako 'yun. Kasi nga nasa baba ako eh. Nagulat ako paano nagkasunog dun sa bahay namin... Nagyoyosi po ako sir. Nagyoyosi po ako. Masama po bang magyosi?" he said.

Manansala was detained by the police but will be released if no complaints will be filed against him within 36 hours. —Dona Magsino/KG, GMA News