2 dead, 1 hurt in Laguna fire

CAMP PACIANO RIZAL, Sta. Cruz, Laguna—A retired policeman and his daughter died while a policeman was injured in a fire that razed 40 houses in Sta. Cruz, Laguna, Thursday morning, police said.

The fatalities were identified as Carlito Maglipon, a retired policeman, and his daughter Mara, 20. PO1 Francisco Maglipon—his relation to the two other victims was still being verified—suffered burns, and was being treated at the Laguna provincial hospital, Sta. Cruz police chief Supt. Chito Bersaluna said in a text message.

Bersaluna said the fire broke out at 7:40 a.m. at the home of a certain Joey Landrito, a neighbor of the victims, in Barangay Santisima. It was placed under control about an hour later.

He said about 40 houses were burned down.

The authorities have yet to identify the cause of fire.