Boy, 12, dies in Tondo fire

MANILA, Philippines — A 12-year-old boy reportedly died in a fire that broke out in Tondo, Manila yesterday.

The body of the boy, said to have a mental disability, was found after firefighters controlled the blaze that engulfed around 20 houses at the corner of Sandico and Barcelona streets, according to radio reports.

The boy’s mother and other relatives struggled to take him out of their burning house because of his large build, according to his father.

The fire started at around 11:17 a.m. and reached second alarm four minutes later. The blaze hit third alarm at around 11:49 a.m., the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) reported.

Personnel from 13 fire trucks helped douse the fire, the agency added. Firefighters declared the blaze under control at around 12:38 p.m. The fire was put out less than an hour later.

The BFP has yet to provide a complete report on the incident, including the confirmation of the fatality, as well as the estimated value of damaged property and number of displaced individuals.