A fuel station was damaged by a freak tornado that ripped through a city in the Philippines on Thursday afternoon.

The whirlwind struck the pump station along the highway in Bacolor City, Pampanga, on June 22 afternoon, knocking down signs and ripping panels off the canopy. A strong storm followed the tornado.

Regional police said the twister blitzed through neighbourhoods, damaging around 26 houses, five business establishments, and a church.

One person was injured and taken to the Makabali Hospital for treatment.

In a statement, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said: 'Some homes were reported with minor damage, detached power lines, and fallen trees.'

Local authorities were clearing the strewn debris.