A resident collects coins through rubbles after a fire in Manila, the Philippines, Aug. 28, 2018. At least five children are feared dead and two others were injured as fire razed a row of houses in Manila's Tondo district on Monday morning. (Xinhua/Rouelle Umali)
MANILA, Aug. 27 (Xinhua) -- At least five children are feared dead and two others were injured as fire razed a row of houses in Manila's Tondo district on Monday morning.
Authorities said the five children, all siblings with ages ranging from one to 12, apparently died from suffocation or smoke inhalation after they were trapped inside their burning house.
The brother of the victims who survived told arson investigators that he saw two of his siblings play with lighter and burn some clothes inside their house.
The fire spread easily in the neighborhood of the crowded street, authorities said.
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) declared the fire, which broke out around 9:17 a.m. local time, under control around 11:24 a.m. or more than two hours later.
