THE death toll from the fire that struck Manila Pavilion Hotel in Ermita, Manila has climbed to five, officials said.
Four of the fatalities have been identified as Jo Cris Sabido, Mark Sabido, Jun Evangelista and Billy de Castro.
Senior Inspector Crossib Cante, chief of the Manila Bureau of Fire Protection Station 3, said they recovered the body of Jo Cris Sabido last.
Fire out was declared around 10:56 a.m. Monday, March 19, more than 13 hours after the blaze broke out at around 9:30 a.m. on Sunday at the hotel's gaming area on the second floor.
Aside from the fatalities, 24 people were injured but some of them were sent home after undergoing treatment at the hospital.
Firemen are now clearing the area and investigating the cause of the fire.
Cante said the fire reached the 7th floor of the 22-floor hotel.
Hotel operator Acesite (Phils) Hotel Corporation said "hotel operations have been suspended until proper clearances from the government regulatory agencies shall have been obtained.
Manila Pavilion is the main operating asset of Acesite, a subsidiary of Waterfront Philippines Inc., and is part of the Waterfront group of hotels. (SunStar Philippines)