Dozens feared dead after fire in Manila slipper factory

A fire has gutted a slipper factory in a suburb of Manila, possibly killing dozens of workers who ran to the second floor in hopes of escaping, only to become trapped.

At least three bodies have been recovered and fire officials said there were no survivors found after the fire was brought under control, according to the mayor of Valenzuela city, north of the Philippine capital.

Relatives of factory workers reported 65 people missing. The mayor said that according to current reports only seven people managed to escape the fire.

District fire marshal Wilberto Rico Neil Kwan Tiu said he was among the first to reach the second floor of the gutted building after the fire and saw “numerous bodies”, many charred beyond recognition.

Radio reports quoted relatives as saying their kin had been able to send text messages saying they were on the second floor, but contact was lost shortly after.

Fire source

The mayor said the fire seems to have been ignited by sparks from welding works at the factory’s main entrance door, triggering an explosion of the chemicals used to make the slippers.

It was unclear whether there were any fire escapes on the second floor as an investigation was ongoing.The mayor said that some of those who escaped exited through back doors.

“By the time they realised that they could pass through the main door, the flames were already engulfing the front area,” he said.

Mr Tiu said the building had exits, but apparently the workers were overwhelmed by the thick black smoke from the burning rubber and chemicals, which are highly flammable and caused the blaze to spread quickly.

PA