6 dead in Quiapo fire

MANILA, Philippines — Six persons died in a fire that reached third alarm and left hundreds of families homeless in Quiapo, Manila early yesterday morning.

Couple Rul Daniel Cayetano and Jofemie Porio, their seven-year-old son Ronan and twin sisters Cheska Celine and Cheska Camille Perito, both 12, died in the fire that razed a residential compound along Arlegui street.

Arson probers said Rolando Briones, a senior citizen, who was not related to the household, was also killed in the fire.

Lalaine Perito, mother of the twins who were killed, said in media interviews that the fire broke out while they were sleeping.

Perito said she heard a liquefied petroleum gas tank explode during the fire.

The blaze reached the third alarm shortly before 3 a.m. and was put out five hours later, according to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).

The fire left at least 500 families homeless, the BFP said.

Damage to property was placed at P5 million.

Authorities said they are still investigating the cause of the fire.