24 killed in Christmas-day store blaze

At least 24 people died in a Christmas Day fire that engulfed a department store in the central Philippines.

The fire, believed to have been caused by firecrackers, swept through the store in Ormoc city, 340 miles south east of Manila, leaving many sellers, employees and customers trapped inside, acting provincial police director Senior Superintendent Manuel Cobillo said.

At least five people were injured, two of them in a critical condition.

The charred remains of the 24 victims were found inside a bathroom, where they tried to escape from the blaze, said Chief Superintendent Eliseo dela Paz.

He said the fire started when firecrackers and pyrotechnics ignited near the entrance door of the Unitop Commercial store.

A television station said the store did not have a permit to sell firecrackers and Cobillo said emergency exits were locked. Police are looking for the owner.

Many stores and malls throughout the predominantly Christian Philippines were open on Christmas Day, giving families a chance for last-minute shopping as well as recreation.