Fire out declared in Las Piñas crash site

Firefighters declared a fire out in a subdivision in Las Piñas City, more than an hour after a private plane crashed into a warehouse and burst into flames.

Radio dzBB quoted Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) chief Pablito Cordeta as saying the fire was put out at about 1:40 p.m. both by members of the BFP and airport security. The ill-fated DC-3 plane was en route to Puerto Prinsesa in Palawan when it crashed to the ground at 12:38 p.m. in Villa Fidela Subdivision in E. Aldana village. [See: 4 charred to death as plane falls in Las Piñas] Witnesses said the plane was hovering low before crashing into the warehouse through its roof. A row of houses just behind the warehouse was damaged by the plane crash, the report said. Four charred bodies of still unidentified people were retrieved when firefighters approached the burning light aircraft. Authorities said the plane was carrying two pilots and five crewmen. A search for the other passengers are on going. Authorities have already cordoned off the area even as they advised onlookers to stay away from the warehouse fearing that subsequent explosions might happen. “Kasi delikado diyan iyong tank ng gasoline kung may apoy pa diyan," said retired General Angel Atutubo, assistant general manager of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA). Eduardo Kapunan, deputy director of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, said Victoria Aviation, owner of the plane, is in the business of transporting goods. Kapunan said he has already seen the flight manifest but refused to disclose the names of the passengers and the two pilots aboard the light craft, saying “Mas magandang manggagaling na lang sa Victoria." Kapunan said a DC-3 plane is a World War II vintage aircraft used by the Air Force. “Pero lumang luma na kasi itong [nag-crash]," he said. - GMANews.TV