5 dead, 2 hurt in Tondo fire

MANILA, Philippines — Five persons, including three children, died and two others were injured when a fire broke out in a residential area in Tondo, Manila yesterday afternoon.

Initial reports said the fire started in a house located at the corner of CP Garcia and Sampaloc streets at around 1:47 p.m.

The Manila Fire Department (MFD) said the blaze reached second alarm and was declared under control at around 3:04 p.m.

Arson probers withheld the names of the victims – ages four, eight, 12 and 30 – pending confirmation, saying the bodies were burned beyond recognition.

Manila Police District’s Don Bosco police community precinct commander Chief Inspector Gilbert Cruz said a mother and her daughter were pulled out from one of the burning houses and taken to the hospital. The mother was declared dead on arrival.

“We were not able to talk to anyone because everything was in chaos and the relatives were hysterical,” Cruz told The STAR.

The body of the 30-year-old woman was recovered on the fourth floor of one of the burning houses and taken to the hospital wrapped in a blanket, the report said.

Manuel Bermudo, 17, suffered a fracture after jumping from the window of his house.

He said it was possible that one of the fatalities was his 14-year-old sister, who was trapped after failing to jump.

Arson investigators said strong winds caused the fire to spread quickly in the neighborhood but the timely arrival of firefighters prevented it from spreading further.

 Nine houses were razed to the ground. The MFD said they have yet to come out with the estimate of the damage.