By Jhon Aldrin Casinas It is going to be bleak Christmas for at least 1,600 families who were rendered homeless by a huge fire that gutted a slum area in Mandaluyong City on Friday. Families displaced by a huge fire in Mandaluyong City on Friday night are taking shelter at Block 37 Covered Court in Barangay Addition Hills. (Jhon Aldrin Casinas/ Manila Bulletin) Supt. Christine Cula, city fire marshal, said the fire that struck a residential area on Martinez Street in Barangay Addition Hills started around 3 p.m., and was raised to Task Force Alpha, the sixth and highest fire alarm level, over an hour later. Cula said the blaze, which took firefighters eight hours to control and eventually put out, destroyed at least 400 houses, most of which were made out of light materials. The fire was declared fire out at 11:44 p.m., the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said. There were also at least 13 people who sustained injuries during the incident, she added. The origin and cause of the blaze, according to Cula, was still being investigated. Arson investigators are still determining the damage left by the huge fire. On Friday night, Mandaluyong Citt Mayor Carmelita “Menchie” Abalos rushed to the scene to check on the condition of her affected constituents. Jimmy Isidro, city public information chief, told the Manila Bulletin that assistance will be given to fire-stricken families. He also said the local government of Mandaluyong City has set up at least eight evacuation centers and served meals to the affected residents. “Hindi po pababayaan ng local na pamahalaan ang nga naapektuhan ng sunog,” Isidro assured. “Sa ngayon naga-assess pa kami para mabigyan ng tulong ang mga residente,” he added.