At least a thousand families will be homeless this Christmas after a fire razed a residential-commercial area in Quiapo, Manila Friday morning.

The fire started at 9 a.m. and reached general alarm at 10:11 a.m., causing heavy traffic along Quezon Boulevard and Claro M. Recto Street.

Manila Fire Department head Superintendent Jaime Ramirez said six individuals were hurt in the blaze including Senior Fire Officer 4 Arnel Mallari.

The injured suffered minor lacerations while one experienced difficulty in breathing. They were given immediate treatment in the Bureau of Fire ambulance.

Authorities said some P5 million worth of damages were torched in the blaze, which started in the home of a certain Alex Cayetano.