2 dead as fire hits boarding house in Manila

Two persons died after a fire broke out at a boarding house in Sta. Cruz, Manila on Monday night.

According to an initial report by Sam Nielsen and Luisito Santos on Super Radyo's dzBB, two people were supposedly trapped inside the burning boarding house as of 8:50 p.m.

Based on the account of Matronillo Amado, a security guard of a nearby establishment, two boarders who work as drivers were seen waving and seeking help on the third floor before they went missing. They were identified as 31-year-old Jay Saavedra and 37-year-old Ali Jarganta.

Santos also reported that one of the victims, Jarganta, was set to leave as he was to work in Saudi Arabia.

Jargant was already able to go out of the house but he returned to get his passport.

In a follow-up report, it was confirmed that a victim died in the incident whose remains were found at the ground floor as the other upper floors already collapsed.

The remains, however, have yet to be identified.

Authorities are still searching for the other missing boarder.

The fire which started at 7:10 p.m. reached the second alarm and was put out at 9:07 p.m.

Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.  — Dona Magsino/BAP, GMA News