Authorities reported that eight people — including a two-year-old boy — died in an early morning fire that gutted an old house converted into multiple rental rooms in Quezon City on Thursday.

Senior Fire Officer 4 Rolando Valeña, an arson investigator with the Quezon City Fire Department, said the fire started on the second floor of a three-story structure at 18-19 De Agosto Street, Barangay San Isidro, at around 2 a.m.

He identified the victims as Mylene Villamor Francis, Anjo Topas Villamor, a two-year-old boy, Ashley Topas Francis, Jacqueline Pablo Abu, Joel Gammad Abu, Vince Yuan Pablo Abu and Juliana Pablo.

Valeña said the fire spread quickly and consumed the entire house, which was made of light materials.

He told DAILY TRIBUNE that the fire may have been caused by faulty electrical wiring, as it started in the hallway of the second floor.

He estimated the property loss at P3.6 million, registered under the name Ruth Capili Lim.

Valeña said a thorough investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing.

Jing Villamente