3 killed in Quiapo printing shop fire

Photo by Jan Escosio/Radyo Inquirer

Three people were reported killed from a fire that razed a printing shop in Quiapo early Friday.

The three employees of Lumandas Printing Shop located along Recto Avenue, failed to escape from the blaze that happened around 4 a.m., Radyo Inquirer 990AM reported. The fire was put out an hour later.

The fatalities were identified as Joel Iba, 50; Benjie Solis, 27; and Ronald Obiedo, 49.

A Christmas party was held among employees the night before, printing shop owner Renato Galicia was quoted as saying.

Some of the employees stayed overnight after getting drunk from the party, he added.

While authorities have yet to determine the cause of the fire, Galicia suspected that it could be from lighted cigarettes left by employees or the videoke machine that was up all night even while the three slept.   /kga