SOME 50 houses of informal settlers in Cubao, Quezon City were gutted yesterday.

The flames started at the house of Ivan Clemente in Barangay Socorro at around 10 a.m.

City fire marshal Chief Supt. Santiago Laguna said the flames quickly spread because the houses were made of light materials.

The firefighters found it hard to penetrate the narrow alleys leading the site of the burning houses.

There were also residents who tried to salvage personal belongings.