2 die in Makati fire

MANILA, Philippines -  A fire of still unknown origin struck a three-story apartment building in Barangay Pio del Pilar, Makati City early yesterday and left two persons dead.

Arson investigators of the Makati City Fire Department said Eddie Badilla, 19; and Tess Campos, 20, were found on two separate beds in Unit E at the apartment’s third floor. The bodies were completely burned and the victims could have succumbed to smoke inhalation first, investigators said.

Initial investigation showed the fire broke out at the apartment along Evangelista street at about 5:29 a.m. Responding firemen put the fire out at 6:40 a.m.

Arson probers place the damage caused by the fire at P400,000. The fire, which reached the third alarm, did not spread to adjacent buildings.