A fire swept through a part of a five-story residential and commercial building in Manila’s crowded Chinatown district Friday, leaving at least 11 people dead, police said, adding that an investigation was underway to determine the cause of the blaze.
About 14 firetrucks battled for more than two hours to control the blaze in the old building.
Fire investigator Roderick Andres said the fire started in an eatery on the ground floor, and that several of its staff were among the dead. Most of the dead, he added, were found on the second and third floors, and no one else has been reported missing.
Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna offered condolences to the victims' families and ordered inspections to ensure old buildings comply with safety regulations and standards.
"The wife of the building owner was among those that died," Nelson Ty, an elected official for the community where the fire broke out, told radio station DZRH, adding that vendors had used the structure to store their goods at night.
