A fire razed a townhouse-type residential building in Pasay City, Metro Manila's southern suburb, killing five people, police said Sunday.

The fire lasted for more than one hour on Saturday night, killing the five, including two kids, and injuring scores of others, local police officer Joseph Baquitis told reporters.

The building was on C. Mayor Street, a heavily populated district in Malibay, Pasay City, the officer said, adding that the victims who rented the rooms were burnt beyond recognition.

Baquitis said investigators would still look into the cause of the fire which was initially reported to be triggered by faulty electric wiring.

The Philippine capital last year had a high record of more than 400 reported fires, killing about 100 people, most of whom were low-income class living in congestion.

Source: Xinhua