Blaze sparked by New Year’s firecrackers razes slum town in the Philippines

One man has been killed, nearly 400 more people injured and a slum town destroyed during out-of-control New Year's celebrations in the Philippines.

Firecrackers are believed to have a sparked a raging inferno inside a shanty town in the capital Manila on New Year's Eve.

Around 1000 shacks were destroyed in the fire in the impoverished Tondo district, with video from the scene showing a wall of flames as it moved through the crudely constructed housing.

Rain helped contain the blaze from spreading even further.

At least nine children also had their fingers amputated after firecrackers exploded in their hands.

One man was killed after a lit firecracker exploded in his arms.

Many Filipinos celebrate the New Year with firecrackers, with some believing the loud fireworks will drive away bad luck.

The country’s government has led an awareness campaign urging the public not to light their own firecrackers, instead promoting supervised shows.