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| Philippines store fire kills 23 | Philippines store fire kills 23 |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A fire has swept through a one-storey department store in the central Philippines, killing at least 23 people, police have said. | A fire has swept through a one-storey department store in the central Philippines, killing at least 23 people, police have said. |
| The blaze, thought to have been caused by firecrackers, trapped many customers and vendors inside. | |
| The store, in Ormoc city, 550km (340 miles) south-east of the Philippine capital Manila, was not licensed to sell firecrackers, reports said. | |
| Several people are thought to have been injured, some seriously. | |
| Police inspector Reynaldo Gabon told Reuters news agency the fire in Ormoc, on Leyte island, began late on Christmas Day afternoon and lasted about three hours. | Police inspector Reynaldo Gabon told Reuters news agency the fire in Ormoc, on Leyte island, began late on Christmas Day afternoon and lasted about three hours. |
| Most of the bodies were found close to the store's toilet, from where the victims had tried to escape. | |
| Senior superintendent Manuel Cobillo said emergency exits had been locked. | |
| Firecrackers are often used in the country to celebrate Christmas and New Year but cause dozens of fires and deaths every year. | Firecrackers are often used in the country to celebrate Christmas and New Year but cause dozens of fires and deaths every year. |