Couple dead in Marikina fire

MANILA, Philippines - A septuagenarian couple died after they were trapped in their burning house in Marikina City Thursday night.

City fire marshal Superintendent Marcos Valen identified the fatalities as Feliciano Belen Jr., 77, and his wife, Melina, 74, both residents of 20 Stardust street, Barangay Concpecion 2. They died of suffocation, Valen said.

Valen said the fire started the couple’s bedroom at 10:30 p.m. The fire reached the second alarm before it was put out at 11:03 p.m. Damage to property was placed at P500,000.

Senior Inspector Reagan Joksi of the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) said the couple could be sound asleep when the fire broke out.

Arson investigators have yet to establish the cause of the fire.