6 dead, 3 missing in Malabon pre-dawn fire

MANILA, Philippines—Six persons died while three others were reported missing in a fire that swept through shanties of informal settlers in Malabon City before dawn Wednesday.

‎Senior Inspector Romeo Pepito Jr., Bureau of Fire Protection Fire Arson Investigation chief, told INQUIRER.net that around 200 families were rendered homeless after a fire razed over 100 shanties on Espiritu Street in Barangay (village) Tinajeros at around 4 a.m.

Quoting Senior Fire Officer 3 Alvino Torres, a radio report said the six fatalities included two elders, identified as Tomas Mateo Cruz and a certain “Mylene,” and two children ages four and 10 years. No information was available on the two other fatalities.

An explosion caused by a liquefied petroleum gas may have caused the blaze, Pepito said.

“It was reported that an explosion was heard prior to fire. The occupant of the house where the fire started was reportedly cooking at that time,” he said in a text message.

Radio reports added that strong winds and the light materials of houses caused the fire to spread quickly.

Pepito said the fire that reached Task Force Alpha was completely put out more than two hours later at 6:29 a.m.

As of posting time, fire rescuers are scouring the area for the missing bodies while arson investigators are still on the scene for further investigation.