Fire in Manila's Chinatown Kills 11

A devastating fire in Manila's Chinatown district has resulted in at least 11 fatalities, primarily among staff members of an eatery where the blaze originated. The fire broke out around 7:20 am local time in a five-story mixed-use building and took approximately two hours to extinguish, involving 14 firetrucks. Many victims were found on the second and third floors, and no additional missing persons have been reported. Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna expressed condolences and mandated inspections of older buildings to ensure compliance with safety regulations, highlighting a concerning history of lax enforcement that has led to previous tragic incidents. The building served both residential and commercial purposes, and the identities of the victims, including the wife of the building's owner, are still being confirmed. Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire, which is suspected to be linked to a liquified petroleum gas leak.