Hundreds of litres of oil spilled into a canal, threatening to contaminate the largest lake in the Philippines.

The fuel spread from a warehouse that caught fire in Laguna province, on January 25 evening.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said around 1,000 litres of motor oil spilled into the San Isidro River during the inferno. It said in a statement: 'Initial investigation revealed that the spilled oil is weathered with approximately 1000 liters which has affected an area of about 100 square meters at San Isidro River, San Pedro, Laguna.

'The PCG and City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO) San Pedro conducted a joint recovery operation and laid 50 meters of oil spill booms to prevent the spread of the oil.'

Footage shows thick brown sludge glazing the surface of the river. Officials were scrambling to keep the pollution from flowing into Laguna de Bay, the country's largest lake and a major source of freshwater fish.

Residents near the river have been complaining of the 'headache-inducing' stench.

Housewife Catalina Pastor said: 'It stings, and the smell hurts our lungs. We can't sleep anymore because we still smell the oil even if we cover our noses.'

Nico Pavino, head of the local disaster response office, said the Philippine Coast Guard and government officials have mobilised teams to control the oil spill.

He said: 'We have not measured the extent of it, but it has reached the lower barangays here in San Pedro. It's possible this will go further to Laguna Lake, and will affect the livelihood of our fishermen, as well as become a health hazard since the oil has a stench.'

Laguna de Bay is the largest lake in the Philippines with a surface area of 950 square kilometres. It is found southeast of Metro Manila and is connected to the notoriously filthy Manila Bay in the country's capital. The lake is as an important resource for fishing and irrigation, though it faces environmental challenges due to pollution and urbanisation.