Woman killed in Makati fire

MANILA, Philippines - A 79-year-old woman was killed in an hour-long fire that hit a residential area in Makati City before dawn yesterday.

Senior Fire Officer 2 Person Minced, arson investigator, said victim Sonia Soriano-Onia was trapped in her room when the fire engulfed her shanty along in East Rembo.  

Minced said Onia was alone and may have found it difficult to get out because the fire had blocked her only escape route, which was through her “dirty kitchen.”

Probers said an unattended gas stove may have caused the fire.

Superintendent Ric Perdigon, city fire marshal, said Onia could have been saved had the incident been reported to them earlier than 4:46 a.m.

Minced said when they got to the area, the fire was already at third alarm and they needed 10 firetrucks to put out the blaze.

Perdigon said Onia’s house and an unoccupied shanty beside it were burned to the ground before the fire was put out at around 5:36 a.m.