MANILA, Philippines — A fire engulfed a hotel and casino in the Philippine capital on Sunday, killing at least three employees, trapping two others and forcing the evacuation of more than 300 guests, some by helicopter, officials said. Police said it was unclear if the fire at the Manila Pavilion Hotel and Casino, which raged for hours, started in the casino on the lower floors or in an area of the hotel that was under renovation. TV footage showed dark grey smoke billowing from the first and second floors of the hotel as rescuers brought people out of the building. Among the dead were two hotel security guards and a treasury officer, he said. “The smoke is very heavy and, second, there’s the wind that we’re trying to overcome,” Yu said.

Source: National Post March 18, 2018 07:30 UTC