MANILA, Philippines – Manila firefighters rescued eight persons who were trapped inside a burning building Wednesday morning in Quiapo.

Arson investigators said some of the victims were nearly unconscious when they got to them because they had inhaled a lot of smoke.
The building tenants initially ignored calls to get out of the establishment but started to panic upon seeing thick smoke billowing from the ceiling, investigators added.

The fire of still undetermined origin broke out in the Aida and Billy Handicraft Store located on the first floor of a three-story building on Carlos Palanca Street at around 9:20 a.m.

The store is owned by Aida and Billy Casaljay.

SFO2 Wilson Tana said the fire started in the store’s stockroom.

He added that they had a hard time containing the fire because of flammable materials like rattan, yantok and wood varnish stored inside the building.

The fire was put out at around 1 p.m.

Damage to property was estimated at P1 million.