A fire that hit a hotel and casino complex in the Philippine capital yesterday killed least three employees, trapped two others and forced the evacuation of more than 300 guests, some by helicopter, officials said.
Police said it remains unclear if the fire at the Manila Pavilion Hotel and Casino, which was still raging after seven hours, started in the casino in the lower floors or in an area of the hotel that was under renovation.
TV footage showed dark gray smoke billowing from the first and second floors of the hotel as rescuers brought people out of the building.
Johnny Yu, who heads Manila’s disaster-response agency, told reporters that at least six other people were overwhelmed by heavy smoke and brought to a hospital. Among the dead were two security guards and a treasury officer, he said.
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