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Firefighters tackle blaze at shopping mall in Manila, Philippines

 

Neela Debnath
Thursday 16 May 2013 15:09 BST
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Firefighters attempted to tackle a massive blaze that broke out at a shopping centre in Manila, Philippines today, fearing that it could take days to put out.

Authorities are investigating what caused the fire at the Divisoria Mall. Shoppers were evacuated as thick, black smoke poured out of the building and vendors struggled to cart good away in an attempt to save their livelihoods.

Firefighters aboard at least 45 trucks sprayed water on the huge site, but the fire is so extensive they fear it could take up to two days to extinguish.

The fire reportedly started in the mall's basement around midnight. A security guard said he heard a freezer explode before the fire began.

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