A 10-year-old boy died in a fire that hit three houses along Mercedes Street corner Perdigon Street,  Barangay 681, Paco, Manila, on Wednesday morning, July 31.

Authorities said the victim's body was found on the second floor of his house.

Fire responders said the boy was separated from his parents when they evacuated their home.

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) reported that the fire was raised to the first alarm at 10:20 a.m. and was elevated to the second alarm at 10:30 a.m.

Firefighters managed to control the blaze at 11:03 a.m. and extinguish it at 11:38 a.m.

They said around P70,000 worth of property was damaged in the fire.

Arson investigators said they are still conducting a mopping operation to ensure the fire is put out.

A follow-up investigation to determine the cause of the fire is ongoing, they added.