1 dead, 5 hurt as wall collapses during downpour

MANILA, Philippines - A woman was killed and five others were injured when a fire gutted a factory, causing one wall to collapse, at the height of Typhoon Glenda on Wednesday morning, the Valenzuela City police confirmed yesterday.

Firefighters and rescue personnel found the body of Joecelyn Sumampang buried underneath the debris as they conducted mopping-up operations at around noon after they put out the blaze, said city police chief Senior Superintendent Rhoderick Armamento.

The concrete wall of Nikon Industries along Narciso street in Canumay East collapsed onto adjacent houses at past 8 a.m. after the fire broke out.

Victims Soledad Castro, 52; Jesus Dizon, 54; Joel Mercado, 29; Joemar Mercado, 8; and Divine Mercado, 5, were taken to the Valenzuela Medical Center.

Arson investigators are still trying to determine the cause of the fire and the amount of property damage.