3-year-old, 2 others die in Laguna fire

CAMP VICENTE LIM, La—guna — Three people, including a three-year-old boy, were killed during a two-hour fire that razed at least 80 squatter shanties in San Pedro, Laguna Saturday night, authorities said.

Fire Officer 1 Rosauro Pagka—linawan, public information officer of the San Pedro fire department, the fatalities were Flor Anne Encinas, Divina Encinas-Apostol and a boy identified only as Dagul.

Probers said the blaze began at about 10:45 p.m. at the kitchen of one Wilfredo Frias. Property damage was estimated at P2 million.

Firefighters had a difficult time battling the fire because of gusty winds and narrow alleys leading to the site. — Arnell Ozaeta