3 dead in fire after Christmas party

MANILA, Philippines — Three workers died in a fire that razed a printing firm in Manila before dawn yesterday, hours after the company held a Christmas party.

 

Arson investigators said the remains of Benjie Solis and Ronald Obiedo were recovered in Tumandas Printing Services shop on C.M. Recto Avenue while Joel Eva, 50, was declared dead on arrival at the Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center. 

 

Senior Fire Officer 2 Sonny Lacuman said the fire started at past 4 a.m. and was put out around 5:30 a.m.

 

Renato Daliso, owner of the shop, said they had drinks and sang using a videoke machine they rented for the party.

 

“Since they were already drunk, I allowed them to stay and sleep inside the shop,” he said.

 

Arson probers said they are looking at the possibility that the videoke machine overheated and caused the blaze.