Fire kills five people in southern Philippines

Fire kills five people in southern Philippines

2011-06-11 20:31:17 GMT+7 (ICT)

TAGUM CITY, PHILIPPINES (BNO NEWS) -- At least five people were killed on Saturday in a fire that swept through a neighborhood in the southern Philippines, authorities said.

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reported that the fire razed 10 residential and commercial structures in Valencia City in Bukidnon province, killing at least five people who were trapped in a boarding house. The age of the victims ranged from 16 to 20 years.

Fire Officer Branjo Abada of the Valencia fire station said three other persons in the boarding house suffered serious burns and were hospitalized.

"The fire, which occurred near the exit area of the Valencia City hall also gutted a bakery, an eatery, offices and several houses," said Maj. Eugenio Julio Osias, regional army spokesperson.

The cause of the fire has not yet been established.

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