Two minors died in a nearly 12-hour fire that razed 38 structures in Sta. Mesa, Manila on Monday afternoon.

In a phone interview, the arson unit of the Manila Fire District (MFD) told the Daily Manila Shimbun that a four and five-year-old children died in the incident.

The fire at the residential area in Anonas St. Barangay 628 began at 3:42 pm on May 19, and rose to its highest fourth alarm at 4:30 pm, and placed under control at 6:50 pm. At 3:05 am on May 20, the authorities declared fire out in the area.

One hundred families and 300 individuals were affected by the blaze with damage estimated at P675,000. Kate Christian Ravelo/DMS