Massive fire in Manila slum kills 2 children, displaces 15,000

Manila: Firefighters say a massive fire in a Manila slum has killed two young brothers and left about 15,000 people homeless.

Fire investigator Lords Hernandez says it took seven hours for firefighters to put out the blaze late Thursday. He says the fire reached some cells and the infirmary of the Manila city jail but there were no casualties there.

Hernandez says some of those who lost their shanties are temporarily housed at a nearby basketball court.

He says the dead include two brothers aged 1 and 3 who were trapped on the second floor of their home and could not be saved.

He quoted witnesses as saying the fire started from a small gas stove.