Girl dies in Muntinlupa fire

MANILA, Philippines - An eight-year-old girl died when a fire broke out at a residential area in Muntinlupa City at past midnight yesterday.

A report from the city fire station identified the casualty as Jodie Multo, a resident who was reportedly not able to get out of the house while the fire was progressing.

Multo suffered serious burns all over her body.

Senior Fire Officer 1 Desiderio Vasquez said close to 300 families were left homeless in the blaze that started around 12:31 a.m. in the victim’s house on Bautista Street in Barangay Bayanan.

A total of 14 firetrucks rushed to the scene to help douse the fire, which was put out at 4 a.m.

Vasquez said they are still conducting a follow-up investigation to determine the cause of the blaze, though an initial report from the city fire station stated electrical overloading due to illegal power connections as the cause. – Rhodina Villanueva