Girl, 2, dies in Makati fire

MANILA, Philippines - A two-year-old girl died in an hour-long fire believed to have been caused by an overheated exhaust fan in Palanan, Makati City before dawn yesterday.

Joy Buyco’s body was pinned under debris in their home at the corner of Arellano and Zobel Roxas streets, the city’s fire department reported. The blaze broke out at past 2 a.m. and razed at least 20 houses before it was put out an hour later.

According to initial reports, the fire started at the second floor of the Buyco family’s house and spread rapidly.

ABS-CBN reported that the girl’s father, Dariel, 21, said he brought his daughter to a neighbor’s house as the rest of the family tried to put out the flames and save their possessions.

The girl was earlier reported as missing.