Hotel fire in Manila

Hotel fire in Manila

Welding work on an escalator was identified as the cause of a fire which swept through a hotel and casino complex in the Philippine capital Manila.

Five people died and more than 20 people needed hospital treatment for injuries at the Manila Waterfront Pavilion, but 300 guests and staff were evacuated safely from the 22-storey building.

The fire took 25 hours to get under control because the smoke was so thick that with zero visibility firefighters struggled to battle the flames and also many complained of breathing difficulties.