Boy, 15, dies in Tondo fire

MANILA, Philippines -  A 15-year-old boy died when a fire broke out at their house in Tondo, Manila yesterday morning.

Firemen recovered the body of Froilan de la Cruz on the second floor of the house in Sitio Bungad, Isla Puting Bato.

Neighbors said they heard an explosion prior to the fire at around 11 a.m.

Probers said a leaking li-quefied petroleum gas tank caused the blaze.

De la Cruz was trapped trying to escape through the window, which was covered with iron grills.

His mother, Amy, suffered third-degree burns and was taken to the hospital for treatment.

The fire reached the fifth alarm and spread to nearby houses before it was declared under control at past 1 p.m.

The Bureau of Fire Protection said at least 70 families were left homeless.

Firemen said they had a hard time penetrating the area because of narrow streets.