1 killed in Las Piñas fire

MANILA, Philippines - A 20-year-old woman died in a fire that broke out at a residential area in Las Piñas City shortly before noon yesterday.

Senior Fire Officer 2 Gerardo Porley identified the victim as Criselda Amores, 20, a resident of Gloria Compound in Pilar Village.

An initial report stated that Amores was sleeping at the second floor of their house when the fire spread to 15 houses at around 11:37 a.m. The fire reportedly originated in the house of Merlito Briones.

Around 27 families were left homeless while P500,000 worth of property had been destroyed before the fire was put out at around 12:35 p.m.

Porley said the fire reached second alarm and firefighters on 12 firetrucks rushed to the scene.

The Las Piñas fire department said they are still trying to determine the cause of the fire.   – Rhodina Villanueva