An elderly couple was reportedly trapped and died in a fire that gutted a residential area in Barangay Fortune, Marikina City, on Wednesday, August 21.


According to reports, the victims were trapped inside their house along Champaca 2 in Barangay Fortune as the fire started at around 12:36 a.m.
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said the fire was immediately raised to the first alarm at 12:38 a.m. and escalated to the second alarm at 12:45 a.m.
Firefighters promptly responded and extinguished the fire at around 1:39 a.m.
The fire reportedly damaged around 22 houses, displacing over 24 families.
The affected families are currently staying at the barangay's multi-purpose hall.
Arson investigators are still determining the cause of the fire.