Family of 4 dead, 5 hurt in Makati fire

MANILA, Philippines - At least four members of a family, including a two-month-old baby, died and five others were injured when a fire broke out at a residential area in Barangay Palanan, Makati City early yesterday morning.

The Makati police identified the fatalities as Annie Eneria, 52; her daughters aged 14 and eight; and her two-month-old grandson.

Reports said the victims were trapped in their burning apartment along Araro street in Barangay Palanan.

The Enerias’ remains were brought to a funeral home in Pasay City.

Police said five others, including Eneria’s husband Rodrigo, were hurt in the blaze that started at around 5:50 a.m. They were taken to the Philippine General Hospital in Manila for treatment of third-degree burns.

The fire reached third alarm before it was put out at past 6 a.m.

Arson investigators said electrical overload from illegal power lines may have caused the fire that left 30 families homeless.

The blaze spread to 20 other houses in the area. Authorities have yet to estimate how much was lost in the fire.