8 Dead After Christmas Day Fires In Philippines

Authorities in the Philippines say at least eight people are dead after two separate Christmas Day fires in the capital region. A pre-dawn fire on Tuesday razed two apartment buildings in Quezon City, a Manila suburb, while another blaze in suburban San Juan city hours earlier destroyed shanties of about 1,500 people. Fire officer Noel Binwag said angry residents of the shantytown beat a man to death after accusing him of starting the fire. He said two firemen were also injured when they were hit by rocks by some residents who grabbed their fire hoses to put out the blaze themselves.—AP