MANILA, Philippines -- Neighbors watched helplessly as a pre-dawn fire tore through an aging orphanage in Manila Thursday, killing at least 28 people, mostly children. Two other children were missing and presumed dead.
Some children had shouted for help through the metal grates covering windows on the second floor, but frantic neighbors could not open or break down a padlocked main gate to the orphanage.The dozens of children at the Catholic-run Bahay Kalinga orphanage had been looking forward to a Christmas party on Friday. Instead, the Christmas decorations were scattered, along with toys and children's clothes, among the burned debris.
"I'm afraid my playmates were burned," said Brian De Mesa, 5, who survived along with his twin brother. "I saw their burned bodies. I don't want to go back."
About 70 people were inside the orphanage in a slum area of Manila's Paco district when the fire broke out about 2 a.m., officials said. Investigators said faulty electrical wiring may have triggered the blaze.
Fire officials said three-fourths of the orphanage was already on fire when they arrived.
"We couldn't even go near because of the intense heat," said Maj. Pablito Cordeta, operations chief of the Manila Fire Department. "A few seconds after we arrived, part of the roof collapsed."
Thirteen dead children were found huddled together in one room. In another, a dead adult was found clinging to two children, all charred beyond recognition.
Rescuers gingerly lifted the bodies of small infants wrapped in blankets from the remains of the orphanage, which included a two-story main structure and two cottages, all built between 1913 and 1927.
Staff members said the fire spread so quickly that they did not have time to rescue many children.
"I was sleeping on the ground floor when I was woken up," said Carina Bellosillo, a teacher. "Already, the ceiling was on fire and the stairs going up to the second floor were burning. I wanted to go upstairs to save the babies, but my companions pulled me back."
The orphanage also cared at night for children of working parents, who wept outside while they waited for word of their children.
"He was my only joy," said Anabel Sambriano, 21, whose 9-month-old boy died in the blaze. "I heard about the fire on the radio and rushed here, but it was too late. I want my baby."
President Joseph Estrada visited the gutted buildings Thursday afternoon and pledged to help the orphanage recover. "I will raise funds personally. I will do everything I can to rebuild this place," he said.