Baby missing, grandma hurt in Manila fire

Manila, Philippines - An 84-year-old woman suffered third-degree burns and her 10-month-old grandson was reported to be missing when a fire broke out at a residential area in Sampaloc, Manila yesterday afternoon.

The fire started at around noon at the house of Sherrilyn Reinera, whose baby, Benedict, was reported missing. SFO2 John Joseph Jalique said they still do not know if someone rescued Benedict from the burning house or if he was left inside.

Emiliana San Jose, Benedict’s grandmother, was treated at the Ospital ng Sampaloc.

Jalique said when the fire, whose cause remains unknown, started at the second floor of Reinera’s rented house, the blaze spread within minutes to 19 other houses and reached fifth alarm before it was put out at around 2:28 p.m.

Investigators pegged the fire damage at P500,000.