Patient dies in Bulacan hospital fire

CAMP ALEJO SANTOS, Bulacan, Philippines — A patient died when fire engulfed the Our Lady of Mercy General Hospital in Barangay Longos, Pulilan town early yesterday.

In a report to Brig. Gen. Ponce Rogelio Peñones Jr., Central Luzon police director, investigators said the fire started at 2:24 a.m. on the second floor of the hospital and was declared out at 5:40 a.m.

Investigators said patient Marcelino Leonardo died during the fire while 17 others were rescued and transferred to La Consolacion General Hospital and Marcelo Padilla Hospital in the neighboring Plaridel town.

Arson probers are still determining the cause of the fire.