4 killed in Malabon fire

MANILA – At least four people were killed after a fire hit a residential area in Tinajeros, Malabon, early Wednesday. SFO3 Albino Torres, Bureau of Fire Protection – Malabon arson investigator, said four members of a family were trapped inside their burning house along Espiritu Street. Torres identified one of the victims as Tomas Mateo Cruz, 72 years old. Cruz's daughter and two grandchildren, aged 10 and 4, were also found dead. Three people remain missing and efforts to find them were still underway, as of posting. The fire reached the first alarm at 3:24 a.m. and was declared out at 6:29 a.m. At least 100 houses were razed by the fire, affecting an estimated 200 families and damaging about P1.5 million worth of properties, according to Torres. Fire investigators have yet to determine the cause of the blaze. Some of the affected families are currently seeking shelter at a nearby covered court. – report from Zandro Ochona, dzMM