Filipino-Taiwanese driver dies in Manila fire

MANILA, Philippines — A Filipino-Taiwanese company driver reportedly died in a fire that reached second alarm in Sta. Cruz, Manila yesterday morning.

The fire razed a three-story old residential building along New Antipolo street, according to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).

Quoting the landlady of the building, a dzBB radio report identified the fatality as Rogelio Estheron, 55.

The fire broke out at around 7 a.m. and was put out four hours later, the BFP said.

Damage to property was estimated at P100,000.

Arson probers said they have yet to determine the cause of the fire.

In Muntintulupa, at least P1.5 million worth of property was destroyed when a fire struck two houses on Saturday night.

The BFP said the blaze broke out at Soldier Hills Village in Barangay Putatan at around 8:40 p.m.

The fire was declared out at around 10:36 p.m.

The BFP said no one was reported injured during the incident. – Ralph Edwin Villanueva