Toddler dies in Mandaluyong fire

MANILA, Philippines - A one-year-old girl was burned to death while two others were hurt in a fire that destroyed at least 10 houses in Mandaluyong City Monday.

The charred body of Daniela Sales was recovered after the fire was put under control, said Fire Inspector Francia Embalsado, city arson investigation chief.

Benjerick Diaz, one, suffered second-degree burns and was treated at the Mandaluyong City Medical Center while Ariel Nunez was hit by falling debris.

Embalsado said the fire started at the second floor of the Sales family’s three-story house in Barangay Addition Hills at about 10 p.m. Monday. The house has no electricity and Embalsado believes an unattended lighted candle caused the fire.

Witnesses claimed that only Daniela and her siblings were left in the house as their parents were at work when the fire broke out.

Firefighters battled the blaze for an hour before declaring it under control, said Embalsado, noting that at least 15 families were left homeless by the fire. Investigators estimated the property damage at P400,000.