Three die in Pasay, QC fires

At least three people were reported killed in a fire that hit residential areas in Quezon and Pasay Cities on Friday. In Pasay City, Dante Cuchapin, 64, reportedly suffocated after failing to get out of his burning house, according to a report on "24 Oras." His body was found inside the comfort room, wrapped in a blanket. A container of water was found near the body. The fire started shortly after 11 a.m. and razed at least six houses along Pioneer Street in Don Carlos Subdivision. It reached the third alarm before firefighters put it out at 12:43 p.m. Arson investigators estimated the damage to property at P2 million, even as they suspect an electrical short circuit from an illegal electrical connection may have caused the fire. Meanwhile, in Quezon City, two people were reported killed in a fire that hit a residential area in the University of the Philippines Village near Philcoa in Brgy. San Vicente. A dzBB report quoted city fire marshal Senior Superintendent Bobby Baruelo as saying the fatalities were initially identified as Felicidad and Jolean Hidalgo. The two were found trapped in the kitchen, the report said. A report by dzBB's Rowena Salvacion said the fire started at 12:25 p.m. The fire reached Task Force Alpha. Two buildings of the UP BLISS were also affected by the fire, according to a separate report on "24 Oras." At least 40 houses along F. Lourdes Street were damaged as the fire spread quickly. A dog trapped on the fourth floor of one of the structures damaged by the fire survived by jumping to the ground. The damage to property in the Quezon City fire was estimated at P3 million. — LBG, GMA News