University Belt dorm fire snarls traffic in Manila

A fire hit a dormitory in Manila's University Belt early Monday, causing tension among tenants and disrupting traffic in the area.

 

The fire started at about 6:18 a.m. and was placed under control at 6:50 a.m., according to a report by radio dzBB's Carlo Mateo.

 

No one was initially reported injured in the fire at the dormitory near the corner of Loyola Street and España Avenue in Sampaloc, Manila.

 

Rush hour traffic in the area was disrupted, with motorists asked to take alternate routes.

 

Several tenants in the three-story dormitory tried to save their belongings, the report said.

 

Arson investigators are now verifying claims by some of the tenants that the dormitory's emergency lights were not working during the fire.

 

An entry on the Twitter account of volunteer firefighter group TXTFire said the fire reached the third alarm. –KG, GMA News