A fire engulfed six houses in Barangay 596, V. Mapa, Sta. Mesa, Manila, on Friday night, resulting in the death of a 72-year-old man.
The Manila Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) raised the alarm to first level around 9:16 p.m. but escalated it to second alarm just four minutes later.
Residents quickly evacuated their pets and belongings for fear of being caught in the blaze.
The senior citizen reportedly died of suffocation due to the thick smoke in one of the houses.
The fire was declared under control at 10:10 p.m. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire and estimating the damage to property.
Meanwhile, authorities arrested a 20-year-old man listed as the 8th most wanted person at the regional level during a manhunt operation in Quezon City.
The suspect, identified only by the alias Nold, was apprehended in Payatas, Quezon City, by virtue of an arrest warrant issued by Branch 86 of the Regional Trial Court in Quezon City for charges of rape.
The court did not recommend bail for the temporary release of the accused.