1 dead, 1 hurt in furniture store blaze in Muntinlupa

MANILA, Philippines — One person was confirmed dead while another person was injured in a fire that razed a furniture store in Muntinlupa City on Thursday morning, the city fire department said.

Senior Fire Officer III Jupiter Palaganas, the investigator on the case, said 50-year-old Joseph Lepata, who works in the furniture store, perished in the fire while Renante Clavano, 20, suffered a first-degree burn.

The blaze struck Markline Furniture located on Las Vegas Street in Putatan, Muntinlupa City at around 7:12 a.m.

It only reached first alarm and was declared under control after more than 30 minutes. Firefighters put out the blaze at 8:01 a.m.

Damage to property was estimated to reach P2 million.

Authorities are still trying to determine the cause of the fire. /ee