8 dead, 9 hurt in Pasay City warehouse fire - report

MANILA, Philippines - Eight female workers were killed and nine others were injured during a fire that broke out inside a warehouse in Pasay City Friday morning.

A radio report said the victims died of suffocation by smoke during the blaze inside the warehouse on Samonte Street, Barangay 47 in San Isidro district.

The report identified the fatalities as  Heideliza Ib-Ib, 24;  Lorena Ib-Ib, 21 ; Angeline Quillano, 21;  Shelalyn Habagat, 19; Jelsa Saburiga, 19; Renelyn Debaguio, 21; Maricris Palmesa Calumba, 21;  and Floralyn Balucos, 20.

It added that the room where the eight were staying was padlocked.

The wounded victims were rushed to the Pasay City General Hospital, the report said.

Initial reports showed that the blaze started at the first floor of the two-storey warehouse, owned by Juanito Go.

Firefighters managed to put the flames under control at around 6:10 a.m.

Arson investigators are still determining the cause and extent of damage of the fire.