17 women die in Philippines clothing store fire
A huge fire which broke out in a clothing store in the southern Philippines has left 17 employees dead.
All of the victims were women who were sleeping on the top floor of the building when the fire broke out at around 3.55am.
Three women managed to escape from the burning room but were initially unable to open the exit door as it was locked.
A hydraulic car jack was eventually used to pry open the doors, and the women managed to escape.
Police investigator Jonathan Basil said: “The women kept on pounding the hot steel gate while yelling for help.”
One woman who managed to escape from the fire was Mylene Tulo. Ms Tulo said: “We wanted to rouse others from sleep, but the fire was already too strong.”
It is not uncommon for employees in Philippine stores to sleep on the premises overnight especially those who live faraway.