Fire hits Sta. Mesa, Manila apartment

MANILA, Philippines – A fire gutted five units of a residential building on Pureza Street, Sta. Mesa, Manila, Monday afternoon.

Police said the fire on the 5th floor of Building 5 GSIS Metrohomes Phase 1 started at 2:26 p.m. and reached the third alarm before it was put out at 2:55 p.m.

Damage to property was estimated at P100,000. Fire investigators are still determining the cause of the fire, but there were reports that it may be due to electrical overload.

Residents said they noticed sparks from an electrical wire at the corner unit before the fire erupted.

Aside from a resident who had difficulty breathing and was quickly assisted by fire marshals, no one was reported injured.