Elderly couple dies in Quezon City fire

MANILA, Philippines — An elderly couple died when a fire broke out at their house in Quezon City yesterday morning.

The remains of Cresencio Catig, 66, and his wife Salvacion, 63, were retrieved in the restroom of their house along Neptune street in Barangay Kaligayahan.

Arson probers said the couple died from suffocation.

According to city fire marshal Senior Superintendent Jaime Ramirez, the blaze started at the kitchen at past 4 a.m.

He said the couple sought refuge in the toilet as they could not get out of the house.

Arson investigators said they have yet to determine what caused the fire.

Damage to property was estimated at P30,000.

In Manila, a man died and at least 600 families were rendered homeless when a fire struck a residential area at the Baseco Compound.

The body of jeepney driver Gino Escobedo, 42, was recovered from the debris.

Escobedo was trapped because he was drunk, according to deputy fire marshal Roberto Samillano Jr.

Fire volunteer Keneth Thomas and a 17-year-old boy were injured with lacerations.

The fire started at past 11 p.m. Tuesday and reached Task Force Bravo shortly after midnight yesterday.

The blaze was declared under control before 3 a.m.

At least 300 houses were destroyed by the fire. Damage to property was placed at P2 million.