Family of 3 die in Manila fire

MANILA, Philippines — Three members of a family died when a fire broke out at a residential area in Sta. Cruz, Manila yesterday morning.

Authorities identified the fatalities as Consuelo Baltazar, 45, and two children aged four and seven.

The victims died of suffocation, according to arson probers.

Senior Fire Officer 4 Victor Bag-It of the Manila Fire Department said the blaze started at the house of Baltazar along Dimasalang street in Barangay 372 at around 5 a.m.

Bag-It said the fire lasted three hours before it was placed under control at around 8 a.m.

Arson probers said faulty electrical wiring could have caused the fire.