Man, 76, dies in Makati fire

MANILA, Philippines - A 76-year-old man died in a fire that broke out at a residential compound in Barangay Guadalupe Nuevo in Makati City on Friday night.

Santiago Alupinto failed to escape from his house along Barrio Visayas street as it started burning at around 8:55 p.m., Makati fire chief Ric Perdigon said.

Firefighters said the blaze reached fifth alarm before it was put out at about 9:43 p.m.

Initial investigation showed that the fire quickly spread through the compound as the houses were built of light materials.

At least 34 families were left homeless by the fire and are now staying at the barangay’s covered court, the Makati fire department said.