Fire breaks out in Quezon City; 3 dead

MANILA, Philippines — Three persons died and three others were injured in a fire that struck a residential area in Quezon City on Monday night.

Paulina Santos, 55; Rachelle Ann Santos, 24, and Raizel Redito, 10, died at the scene from severe burns, according to city fire marshal Senior Superintendent Manuel Manuel.

Manuel said the fire broke out at the two-story house owned by Juanita Redito, 65, at the Sarmiento Compound in Barangay Pasong Tamo at around 11:43 p.m.

The fire quickly spread to nearby houses before it was declared under control at 12:50 a.m. yesterday.

The elder Redito and two others, Gabriel Ledesma, 27, and Antonio Entico, 62, suffered minor burns.

Arson investigators said they were looking into an unattended gas stove as the cause of the fire.

Manuel said at least 15 houses were destroyed by the fire, leaving around 30 families homeless.

Damage to property was placed at P150,000.

The affected residents are temporarily taking shelter at an evacuation center.

In Manila, a fire volunteer was injured in a fire that broke out in Sta. Mesa yesterday.

Cedric Gamboa was declared out of danger after getting first aid treatment.

The Manila Fire Department said the blaze broke out on the second floor of an apartment along Bagumbayan Extension in Bacood at around 8:45 a.m.

Firefighters took at least two hours to contain the fire, which spread to adjacent apartments.

Authorities said an electric fan overheated and caused the fire.