3 hurt in Manila fire

MANILA, Philippines–Three people were injured, including an old woman, when fire broke out in a residential area in Manila Thursday, a city fire officer said.

Arson investigator, Senior Fire Officer 3 John Joseph Jalique identified the victims as Lilia Marasigan, 86,  who suffered difficulty in breathing, and Eduardo Aniag and a certain “Boboy,” both 37 years old, who suffered  burns.

The fire gutted at least 10 houses on Firmeza corner Ventura streets in Balic Balic, Sampaloc at 9:54 a.m.

Jalique said initial investigation showed that the fire started at the house of Carlos Gomez, and was probably caused by a lighted candle left unattended.

“Nakausap ko ang lola ni Carlos at sinabi na wala silang kuryente talaga sa bahay,” Jalique said, noting that Gomez wasn’t around when the fire broke out.

The fire reached fifth alarm before it was put out at 11:19 a.m.

Damage to property was placed at P2 million, and around 20 families were displaced by the fire.