1 dead, 1 hurt in Makati fire

MANILA, Philippines — A resident died of a heart attack while another’s hand was severed during an hour-long fire that broke out in Makati City before dawn yesterday.

Citing accounts from the victim’s family, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) reported that the woman, apparently distressed by the incident, suffered a heart attack during the fire that started at around 3 a.m. and razed at least 12 houses in Barangay Cembo, leaving 10 families homeless.

Firefighters said another resident was receiving treatment at a nearby hospital after her hand was blown off during a blast before the fire spread.

Arson investigators have yet to determine the cause of the fire but local officials said the blast had woken up residents.

In Manila, a fire hit a residential area in Baseco Compound that reached second alarm before noon yesterday.

The fire destroyed nine houses before it was put out by noon, according to the Manila fire district.

No one was reported injured in the incident.