3 women killed in Manila blaze

MANILA, Philippines - Three women died of suffocation while one man was injured when a fire broke out in a residential area in Sta. Mesa, Manila yesterday morning.

Lily Aguilar, Benilda Dionisio and Neri Aguilar – reportedly sisters – may have been trapped as the blaze quickly spread in the house owned by Leopoldo Dionisio, reportedly Benilda’s husband, arson investigators said.

Senior Inspector Felix Petilos Jr., in his report, said the fire started at past 1 a.m. in the house and had reached fifth alarm by the time it was put out just before 3 a.m.

Senior Fire Officer 3 Joseph Aligue said the fire originated at the house’s second floor, where Aguilar’s body was discovered. The two other bodies were discovered in another bedroom on the second floor.

Ryan Dionisio, meanwhile, sustained burns while trying to get out of the house. The report did not state how he is related to Leopoldo.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Authorities pegged the damage at P2 million.