MANILA, Philippines - More than 150 families lost their homes due to a fire which hit an area in Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City on Thursday.

The fire which started 4:30 p.m. took 1 hour before it was put out by firefighters.

Despite the short duration of the blaze, many houses were razed since firefighters found it difficult to have their fire trucks enter the narrow passageways in the area. The razed houses and shanties were also built with light materials.

Fire probers have yet to identify the cause of the fire.

Affected residents said that only a few were able to salvage their belongings.

Some of the residents complained, however, that some thieves allegedly attempted to steal the belongings they have been able to salvage.

A commotion even occurred after residents accosted an alleged thief. The accosted man however denied attempting to steal anything.

Meanwhile city officials were still preparing an evacuation center for the displaced families. With a report from Jenny Reyes, ABS-CBN News