One killed in España, Manila fire 

(Updated 7:17 p.m.) One person was killed and some P3 million worth of property was razed by fire that hit a residential area along España Boulevard in Sampaloc, Manila, a television report said Wednesday.

The fatality was identified as Marcos Mendoza, 67, a barangay tanod, who was reportedly sleeping on the second floor of one of the houses when the fire occurred.

“Kailangan po nating matanong yung mga kamag-anak kung ano ang ginagawa doon at bakit hindi nakalabas. Kung titignan natin halos malapit na siya sa evacuation area dito sa España," a fire official said in an interview with GMA News.

"Posibleng sa ground floor nagsimula, sa middle portion ng residential structure. Medyo malawak po kasi ang residential structure na ito,” he added.

The official also said he could not yet say what the cause of the fire was, as they still need to interview witnesses and the victims.

GMA News TV's News TV Live reported the fire started past 4 p.m. and spread quickly among the houses, which were made of wood and other light materials.

The Bureau of Fire Protection said the blaze, which reached the 5th alarm, was contained an hour later, GMA News TV's QRT reported. The fire caused heavy traffic in the area.

Students at nearby Ramon Magsaysay High School were evacuated because of the fire. — Amita Legaspi/RSJ/BM, GMA News