Fire in Manila Kills 11, Including Building Owner's Wife

At least 11 people have died in a fire that broke out in a five-storey residential and commercial building in the Chinatown precinct of Manila, Philippines. The blaze in the Binondo district was extinguished approximately three hours after fire responders were alerted early in the morning, but the cause of the fire is still unknown. Among the deceased is the wife of the building owner, as the structure was reportedly used by vendors for storing goods overnight. There are concerns that more individuals may have been trapped inside the building. The Philippines has a concerning history of fire safety enforcement, with previous incidents resulting in significant casualties, including a fire that killed 16 people last August. In light of this tragedy, officials are likely to face scrutiny over fire safety regulations and their implementation.