Woman dies in Pasay fire

MANILA, Philippines — A woman died in a fire that struck a residential area in Villamor, Pasay City yesterday.

Arson probers said the remains of Julie Barrios, 32, were recovered in the toilet where she was trapped.

Barrios’ brother, Jerome, said he heard an explosion prior to the blaze at around 5 a.m.

Jerome said he immediately went out of the house while Barrios rushed to the toilet.

City police chief Col. Bernard Yang said the fire reached the second alarm and spread to nearby houses before it was declared under control at around 6:22 a.m.

Five families were displaced by the fire. Damage to property was placed at around P300,000.