6 dead, 6 hurt in Tondo fire

MANILA, Philippines — Six people, including three children, died when a fire broke out at a two-story house in Tondo, Manila before dawn yesterday.

Among those who died are Odessa Conde, 36, and her children Yhexel George Nicholas, 10; Yara Courtney, 9; and Yancy Kieffer, 8. 

The other fatalities were identified as Jean Paul Esguerra, 42, and Aquilina Habana.

Among those injured were Odessa’s husband, George Conde; Edith de Castro, 64; Aldrin delos Reyes, 28; J-I Conde, 52; Eliza Lotero, 70; and Evangeline Lotero, 70.

Probers from the Manila Police District (MPD) Station 7 said the fire started at the second floor of the Loteros’ house on Katamanan street at around 2:30 a.m., while the victims were asleep.

The fire spread to around 20 houses, destroying at least P100,000 worth of property, and reached third alarm before it was put out at around 7:14 a.m., according to the Manila Bureau of Fire Protection.

Inspector John Joseph Jalique, intelligence and investigation section chief of the Manila Fire District, said Conde suffered second-degree burns on his arms and neck when he tried but failed to save his family.

Firefighters recovered the Condes’ bodies and Esguerra from the debris while that of Habana, earlier declared as missing, was found in the bathroom shortly before 9 a.m.

The MPD said it is verifying reports that the fire was set by Eduardo Lotero, the husband of one of the injured women, following an argument with his wife.