Pasig blaze leaves 5 dead

Five people, including three minors, were killed after a fire broke out in a residential area in Barangay Buting, Pasig City late Wednesday evening.

According to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the fire started around 10:48 PM at a four-storey residential building along E. Mendoza Street. It was declared fire out by midnight.

Barangay officials reported that among the fatalities were a mother and her two children, aged 2 and 11, as well as their neighbors — a government employee and his 15-year-old son. The bodies were recovered Thursday morning.

Initial investigation showed that the victims were trapped inside the burning house. The building was reportedly made of light materials, and its deteriorated floors may have contributed to the rapid spread of the fire.

Firefighters faced difficulty reaching the site due to the narrow streets leading to the area.

Meanwhile, at least 18 families, composed of 53 individuals, were affected by the blaze and are currently staying at a temporary evacuation center.

Fire inspectors are still determining the cause of the fire.