Quiapo blaze kills 5 kids, would-be rescuer

INQUIRER.NET FILE

The fire that hit Arlegui Street in Quiapo, Manila, Wednesday night killed six people, including five children, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said Thursday.

Senior Insp. Eden Alumno of BFP-San Lazaro told Radyo Inquirer 990AM that the remains of the victims were found at the house of Ashley Dacu where the fire reportedly started.

Three of the victims were identified as Dacu’s children: Jamaica, 2; Jamila, 8; and Jamaila, 9. The other two children were the house owner’s niece and nephew, Baby Love Sampaco, 10, and Gerald Sampan, 9.

The sixth victim, Michael Ramos, 30, died after he tried to save the children. Ramos was Dacu’s nephew.

BFP volunteer group TXTFirePhilippines said the fire that started at 7:12 p.m. was raised to 2nd alarm at 7:42 p.m. It was declared fire out at 11:30 pm.

The report said the blaze razed 50 houses. Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the fire and the cost of damage. /cbb