Monday, July 31, 2006 (Philippines)

Two women scrounge through a mound of scorched items, trying to sift out those that can still be used, after a fire that started from a house behind the old Toril public market spread through a community rendering more than 20 families homeless Sunday morning. (Sun.Star Davao/Seth delos Reyes) A TOTAL of 12 houses and a portion of a madrasah were burned down in a fire at the old Toril public market in Toril, Davao City Sunday morning. Fire Officer 3 Joefel Lape of the Davao Central Fire Office said the 12 houses burned were owned by Amir Tampugao, Mansawi Maba, Solaiman Mama-alim, Anwar Mama-alim, Tungko Turuson, Solaiman Macaampao, Akmad Ampoan, Mohammed Saripada, Hamil Macapato, Palawan Asis, Pata Abdurakman and Macmo Sulayba. Arroyo Watch: Sun.Star blog on President Arroyo [full story]