Three person were injured while around 50 informal settler families lost their homes to a fire that took firefighters three hours to control early Monday.

Quezon City Fire Marshal Sr. Supt. Ian Guerrero identified the injured victims as Mark Eugene Ariaso, 17, who sustained minor abrasions on his right thigh while trying to save their belongings; Cymore Decalay, 47, who had a laceration on her left knee; and John Carlos Saliling, 29, who was nearly mauled to death by his neighbors on suspicion that he deliberately started the fire.

Guerrero said the fire broke out at Unit 7 Upper Nawasa, Brgy. Commonwealth, where Saliling resided. The blaze started around 3 a.m. and is believed to have been caused by an unattended candle since the house had no electricity.

Firefighters said they had a hard time containing the blaze because of narrow alleys leading to the area. The fire quickly spread to shanties made of light materials.

The fire reached the third alarm, and was only put out after three hours.

Guerrero said the arson investigation is still ongoing, while Salingling has been taken into custody by the police.