Firefighters douse water after a fire engulfed the Manila Pavilon hotel in Metro Manila, Philippines March 18, 2018. REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco

MANILA (Reuters) - A fire at a hotel in the Philippine capital killed three people on Sunday and injured nearly two dozen, police and rescue officials said, with two people listed as missing.

The fire broke out at the Manila Pavilion Hotel where about 20 people earlier listed as trapped had been evacuated safely, Johnny Yu, chief of the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, said. The death toll had been reduced from four to three, he said.

Two employees of a casino at the hotel were missing and rescue operations were ongoing, Manila Police District spokesman Erwin Margarejo told Reuters.

It was not immediately clear how the fire started. The hotel is owned by Waterfront Philippines Inc.</s>MANILA, Philippines -- A small passenger plane carrying five people crashed into a house shortly after takeoff north of Manila on Saturday, killing all those onboard and five people on the ground, officials said. The Piper-23 Apache plane took off from the airport in Plaridel town in Bulacan province then crash-landed and smashed into the house, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines spokesman Eric Apolonio and police said.

All five Filipinos on board the six-seat plane were killed, and the crash killed five people on the ground, Plaridel police chief Supt. Julio Lizardo said by phone. The crash ignited a fire in a house that was hit by the aircraft, he said.

Two other people on the ground were injured by burning debris, Lizardo said.

The cause of the crash was not immediately known.

Witnesses said the plane hit a tree and electric post before slamming into the house.

TV footage showed parts of the plane wreckage and the shattered walls of the house at the still-smoldering crash site.

Apolonio said the aircraft, which was operated by Lite Air Express, was bound for northern Laoag city. All the aircraft operated by the transport and courier company were grounded while investigators tried to determine the cause of the crash, he said.</s>THREE people died and seven were injured in the fire that hit the Waterfront Manila Pavilion Hotel and Casino in Manila on Sunday, authorities said.

Supt. Erwin Margarejo, spokesman for the Manila Police District (MPD), said two of the fatalities were hotel employees. They were identified as Jun Evangelista, the hotel’s treasury officer, and Bill de Castro, a security intern.

Johnny Yu, director of the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, said the three fatalities were among the 10 victims who were rushed to the Manila Doctors’ Hospital.

Sen. Richard Gordon, who also heads the Philippine National Red Cross, tweeted that the fire, which broke out at about 9:30 a.m., reached the fifth alarm at about 10 a.m.

“PRC currently responding to a fire that broke at Manila Pavilion Hotel. Our team dispatched two ambulance units and one fire truck. Status of fire was raised to fifth alarm as of 10:10 a.m.,” said Gordon.

He said the PRC helped treat the victims on site.

Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the blaze that could have started on the second floor of the 22-story building.</s>A fire engulfs the Manila Pavilion Hotel and Casino Sunday, March 18, 2018 in Manila, Philippines. The fire hit the hotel, where more than 300 guests were evacuated, some by helicopter, an official said. A fire engulfs the Manila Pavilion Hotel and Casino Sunday, March 18, 2018 in Manila, Philippines. The fire hit the hotel, where more than 300 guests were evacuated, some by helicopter, an official said.

Firemen battle a fire that engulfs the Manila Pavilion Hotel and Casino Sunday, March 18, 2018 in Manila, Philippines. A fire hit the hotel, where more than 300 guests were evacuated, some by helicopter, an official said. less Firemen battle a fire that engulfs the Manila Pavilion Hotel and Casino Sunday, March 18, 2018 in Manila, Philippines. A fire hit the hotel, where more than 300 guests were evacuated, some by helicopter, an ... more

Firemen battle a fire that engulfs the Manila Pavilion Hotel and Casino Sunday, March 18, 2018 in Manila, Philippines. A fire hit the hotel, where more than 300 guests were evacuated, some by helicopter. Firemen battle a fire that engulfs the Manila Pavilion Hotel and Casino Sunday, March 18, 2018 in Manila, Philippines. A fire hit the hotel, where more than 300 guests were evacuated, some by helicopter.

Firemen prepare to search for trapped hotel employees following a fire at the Manila Pavilion Hotel and Casino Sunday, March 18, 2018 in Manila, Philippines. A fire hit the hotel, where more than 300 guests were evacuated, some by helicopter, an official said. less Firemen prepare to search for trapped hotel employees following a fire at the Manila Pavilion Hotel and Casino Sunday, March 18, 2018 in Manila, Philippines. A fire hit the hotel, where more than 300 guests ... more

Firemen battle a fire that engulfs the Manila Pavilion Hotel and Casino Sunday, March 18, 2018 in Manila, Philippines. A fire hit the hotel, where more than 300 guests were evacuated, some by helicopter, an official said. less Firemen battle a fire that engulfs the Manila Pavilion Hotel and Casino Sunday, March 18, 2018 in Manila, Philippines. A fire hit the hotel, where more than 300 guests were evacuated, some by helicopter, an ... more

Firemen battle a fire that engulfs the Manila Pavilion Hotel and Casino Sunday, March 18, 2018 in Manila, Philippines. A fire hit the hotel, where more than 300 guests were evacuated, some by helicopter. Firemen battle a fire that engulfs the Manila Pavilion Hotel and Casino Sunday, March 18, 2018 in Manila, Philippines. A fire hit the hotel, where more than 300 guests were evacuated, some by helicopter.

Firemen battle a fire that engulfs the Manila Pavilion Hotel and Casino Sunday, March 18, 2018 in Manila, Philippines. A fire hit the hotel, where more than 300 guests were evacuated, some by helicopter. Firemen battle a fire that engulfs the Manila Pavilion Hotel and Casino Sunday, March 18, 2018 in Manila, Philippines. A fire hit the hotel, where more than 300 guests were evacuated, some by helicopter.

Two firemen who ran out of oxygen while searching for trapped employees are lowered to safety following a fire that engulfs the Manila Pavilion Hotel and Casino Sunday, March 18, 2018 in Manila, Philippines. A fire hit the hotel, where more than 300 guests were evacuated, some by helicopter, an official said. less Two firemen who ran out of oxygen while searching for trapped employees are lowered to safety following a fire that engulfs the Manila Pavilion Hotel and Casino Sunday, March 18, 2018 in Manila, Philippines. A ... more

People, right, take cover as an explosion is heard during a fire that engulfs the Manila Pavilion Hotel and Casino Sunday, March 18, 2018 in Manila, Philippines. A fire hit the hotel, where more than 300 guests were evacuated, some by helicopter, an official said. less People, right, take cover as an explosion is heard during a fire that engulfs the Manila Pavilion Hotel and Casino Sunday, March 18, 2018 in Manila, Philippines. A fire hit the hotel, where more than 300 guests ... more</s>FOUR people died in the fire that hit the Waterfront Manila Pavilion Hotel and Casino on Sunday, authorities said on Sunday.

Supt. Erwin Margarejo, spokesman for the Manila Police District (MPD), identified two of the four as Jun Evangelista, hotel’s treasury officer; and Bill de Castro, a security intern.

In a live radio interview, Johnny Yu, Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office director (MDRRMO), said the four fatalities were among the 10 who were rushed to the Manila Doctors’ Hospital. The four were declared dead on arrival.

Yu said about 20 more people were trapped inside the hotel as rescuers scoured the building.

Motorists have been advised to avoid the roads leading to the hotel — UN Avenue, Maria Orosa and Kalaw Avenue.

Sen. Richard Gordon, who also heads the Philippine National Red Cross, tweeted that the fire, which broke out at about 9:30 a.m., was raised to fifth alarm at about 10 a.m.

“PRC currently responding to a fire that broke at Manila Pavilion Hotel. Our team dispatched two ambulance units and one fire truck. Status of fire was raised to fifth alarm as of 10:10 a.m.,” said Gordon.

Gordon said the PRC also helped in treating the victims on site.

A separate radio report said the cause of the fire has not been determined although initial reports said it could have been because of ongoing welding work on the second floor of the 22-story building. WITH REPORTS FROM RAADEE SAUSA, ARIC JOHN SY CUA</s>THREE people died in the fire that hit the Waterfront Manila Pavilion Hotel and Casino on Sunday, authorities said.

Supt. Erwin Margarejo, spokesman for the Manila Police District (MPD), identified two of the fatalities as Jun Evangelista, hotel’s treasury officer; and Bill de Castro, a security intern.

The third, Marilyn Omadto, assistant treasury officer, was identified by Carmelita “Twinkle” Valdez, assistant vice president for corporate communications of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) in a press briefing.

Margarejo said one of the supposed fatalities was revived at the Manila Doctors’ Hospital where nine other victims, including the dead, were brought.

Police said initially that four people died in the fire.

In a live radio interview, Johnny Yu, Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office director (MDRRMO), said the four fatalities were among the 10 who were rushed to the Manila Doctors’ Hospital. The four were declared dead on arrival.

Yu said about 20 more people were trapped inside the hotel as rescuers scoured the building.

Motorists have been advised to avoid the roads leading to the hotel — UN Avenue, Maria Orosa and Kalaw Avenue.

Sen. Richard Gordon, who also heads the Philippine National Red Cross, tweeted that the fire, which broke out at about 9:30 a.m., was raised to fifth alarm at about 10 a.m.

“PRC currently responding to a fire that broke at Manila Pavilion Hotel. Our team dispatched two ambulance units and one fire truck. Status of fire was raised to fifth alarm as of 10:10 a.m.,” said Gordon.

Gordon said the PRC also helped in treating the victims on site.

A separate radio report said the cause of the fire has not been determined although initial reports said it could have been because of ongoing welding work on the second floor of the 22-story building.

The Manila Pavilion said on its Facebook page that it would issue a full report once an investigation into the fire was completed.

“The hotel management has taken steps to ensure the safety and security of our guests and employees,” the statement read. WITH REPORTS FROM RAADEE SAUSA, ARIC JOHN SY CUA</s>FIRE of unknown origin broke out midmorning Sunday at the Waterfront Manila Pavilion Hotel & Casino in the tourist belt in Ermita district, with initial reports putting the death toll at four people, and over a dozen others reportedly trapped.

The four fatalities did not make it alive at the nearby Manila Doctor’s Hospital, city authorities said. Rescue units were trying to save some 20 hotel guests believed trapped inside the hotel.

Meanwhile, the Manila City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said six other people were injured in the fire and at least 20 hotel guests remained trapped.

Fire broke out at the hotel at 9:52 a.m., with the fire’s alarm raised to Task Force Bravo.

In scenes that revived anxiety over the safety of casinos — over three dozen people were dead, trapped in the Resorts World hotel casino fire last year started by a gambling addict who went amok — the Waterfront Pavilion’s casino area was ablaze; so were the areas from the mezzanine to the third floor.

The chief of the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Johnny Yu, said their effort was focused on preventing flames from affecting the upper floors.

Authorities closed off the perimeter of the 22-storey hotel at the corner of United Nations Avenue and Maria Orosa Street in Ermita district.

EYEWITNESS

 In a Facebook post, Francis Raymund Magallnez Gonzales gave an eyewitness account of the fire. He and some friends had gone to Luneta park near the hotel from Friday night until the break of dawn Saturday for their usual sessions of playing quiz games. He and another friend decided to stay longer in the area, and about 10:00 a.m., “we saw something peculiar and strange at a distance. A cloud of caramel-colored smoke is billowing from the area of the Manila Pavilion Hotel.”

His friend, AJ Saenz, initially exclaimed, “Sunog [Fire!],” and they watched the smoke rise. They “mistakenly thought that an LPG tank has just exploded just at the sidewalk near the hotel.” However, as the smoke kept billowing, they decided to approach the fire scene. It was 10:20 a.m. Soon, said Mr. Gonzales, firetrucks started arriving, together with ambulances and police cars.

“The Maria Orosa facade is spewing smoke. We also saw smoke at the far rear side. AJ found a young man (with) a wet towel hanging on his shoulders and his left big toe is bleeding. My friend took his first aid kit and I assisted him in cleaning and dressing the wound. Without asking his name, we found out that he works in the hotel and has just evacuated together with a colleague,” recounted Mr. Gonzalez.

They then saw a “white helicopter around 12:00 noon to help those trapped at the top of the building. But at around 12:30 p.m., we saw the smoke at the distance thickening, and firetrucks are pouring into the area nonstop. I rose up to check again the place and saw the Maria Orosa street in front of the hotel all in blinding smoke.”

Then, more firetrucks, police cars and people. “I looked for an alternative route to get closer to the hotel, going to Taft Avenue and right towards UN Avenue. I realized that the half of UN Avenue is in eye-stinging toxic smoke. I went out of the area and as I [walked] away, a loud explosion” was heard at exactly 12:43 p.m.

The hotel was still on fire as of Sunday afternoon. An initial statement by the hotel management read: “A fire broke out at Manila Pavilion Hotel around 9 this morning, March 18, 2018.”

“The hotel management has taken steps to ensure the safety and security of our hotel guests and employees. We will issue a full report once a thorough investigation has been completed,” the statement also read. — News5-InterAksyon</s>The death toll from the blaze stands at 5, with 24 others injured

MANILA, Philippines – After 25 hours of facing flames and smoke at the Waterfront Manila Pavilion Hotel & Casino, firefighters have declared "fire out," signaling the end of an inferno that killed at least 5 and injured 24.

Flames broke out in the hotel at around 9:30 am on Sunday, March 18, generating clouds of thick smoke at the Ermita District in Manila.

The fire was only put out the next day at 10:56 am, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Acting General Manager Jojo Garcia told Rappler in a text message.

The death toll includes 4 Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) employees and another unidentified corpse recovered near the hotel's CCTV room.

How the fire started: The blaze erupted from the ground floor and spread to the rest of the 22-story hotel, authorities announced in a Sunday evening press briefing.

Firemen arrived at 9:53 am on Sunday, immediately raising the 3rd alarm. By 11:32 am, the fire alarm peaked at Task Force Bravo, or 3 levels higher than the initial declaration. The higher the alarm, the more firefighters are allowed to be called to respond.

The fire was declared under control at 8 am on Monday, before authorities fully put out the flames around 3 hours later.

Why it took so long: Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) officials said on Sunday that the smoke inside the hotel was too thick, preventing firefighters from immediately entering.

It also did not help, fire officials said, that the hotel was heavily lined with carpets and curtains which produce heavy smoke when torched.

Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) chief Johnny Yu added in an interview with DZRH that the hotel's sprinkler system didn't work.

If the sprinklers had functioned, Yu said, it would've been easier to battle the blaze. – Rappler.com</s>Four people died and six others were hurt when fire broke out at the Manila Pavilion hotel Sunday morning, an official of the Manila Disaster Risk and Reduction Management (MDRRMO) said.

MDRRMO Director Johnny Yu said they recorded a total of 10 casualties so far from the blaze that reportedly started at the second floor of the hotel-casino.

They were all rushed to the Manila Doctors Hospital, he said.

Four people died and six others were hurt when fire broke out at the Manila Pavilion hotel Sunday morning, an official of the Manila Disaster Risk and Reduction Management (MDRRMO) said.

MDRRMO Director Johnny Yu said they recorded a total of 10 casualties so far from the blaze that reportedly started at the second floor of the hotel-casino.

They were all rushed to the Manila Doctors Hospital, he said.

Yu also said that there were still people trapped on the fifth floor of the hotel.

“Around 19 to 20,” he said, referring to people believed still on the upper floor.

The fire started at about 9:30 a.m. and reached Task Bravo at 11:30 a.m.</s>Manila: At least four people have been killed in a fire that broke out at a hotel in the Philippines' capital. More than dozen others were believed to be still trapped inside.

The blaze on Sunday started on the second floor of the Waterfront Manila Pavilion Hotel in Manila City, where renovations were under way, said fire marshal Jonas Silvano.

"Fire suppression and search and rescue operations are ongoing," he said.

Four people were rushed unconscious to a nearby hospital but were declared dead on arrival, said Johnny Yu, director of Manila City's disaster risk reduction and management office.
Three people are killed in a fire at the Manila Pavilion Hotel in the Philippines.