A major inquiry is underway in the Philippines into the cause of a fire that gutted a hotel in Manila, killing 75 people and injuring 40 in the early hours of Saturday morning, Miriam Donohoe reports.
Investigators said they had not ruled out any possibilities, including whether the blaze was caused by faulty wiring, accident or arson.
Most of the victims suffocated in bathrooms after being trapped inside the five-storey building. Fire safety facilities were inadequate. Television footage showed people clustering at windows of the hotel as firemen climbed ladders to cut iron grills to rescue them.
All the victims were believed to be Filipinos, and were taking part in a weekend gathering organised by Christian evangelists Don and Sharon Clowers from Dallas, Texas.