12 killed in Philippine fire

12 killed in Philippine fire

PHILIPPINES: Twelve people, including five children, were killed when a fire razed several houses in a southern Philippine city, police said on Tuesday.

All the victims were living in a two-story house where the fire started on Monday in the village of Poblacion in Valencia City, Bukidnon province, 885 kilometers south of Manila.

Police officer Virgilio Dumandan said initial investigation showed the fire was caused by faulty electrical wiring.

"The fire was suspected to have started on the first floor of the house," he said. "All the victims were sleeping on the second floor and were trapped."

The fatalities included five children aged one to five years. --DPA