Household helper dies in Makati fire

MANILA, Philippines - A 25-year-old woman was killed in a fire that struck a residential compound in Barangay South Cembo in Makati, before dawn Monday.

Senior Inspector Tito Purgatoryo of the Makati Fire Department identified the victim as Christine Zea, a house helper.

Purgatoryo said Zea was found trapped inside her room at 4040 General Jacinto Street corner General Luna Street, where the fire also reportedly started.

Purgatoryo said initial investigations showed the fire that started at 3:24 a.m. was caused by an overheated wall fan.

The fire soon swept through the seven houses of the compound and reached the fourth alarm before it was put out by 4:15 a.m.

The blaze left P3 million worth in damages and seven families homeless.