MANILA, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- A residential fire claimed six lives, including two children, in the Philippine capital before dawn on Saturday, the Bureau of Fire Protection said.
Firefighter Cesar Babante of the Manila Fire District said the victims were members of two families and were asleep when the fire broke out past 2 a.m. local time and engulfed a four-story residence.
Babante said the building's second floor collapsed in the blaze, trapping the victims inside.
An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the fire. ■