Philippines Fire Leaves Thousands Homeless

Officials say a massive fire has left thousands homeless in two coastal villages north of the Philippines' capital. Fire Officer Domingo Gastilo says the fire broke out late yesterday, possibly when gasoline a man was pouring into a container near an open stove caught alight. The fire lasted four hours, racing through some 350 shanties in two crowded villages in Navotas city, north of the capital Manila.

Gastilo said two people died. An 8-year-old girl fell to her death from a makeshift bridge as people fled the fire, and another panicked resident jumped into Manila Bay and drowned. Thousands were displaced by the fire, but it was not immediately clear exactly how many. They are being housed in a city gymnasium and two schools. (More Philippines stories.)