8 killed, 4 injured in Philippine dormitory fire

A fire raced through a student dormitory, killing at least eight people in Manila's congested university district, a fire official said.

A fire raced through a student dormitory at dawn on Sunday, killing at least eight people in Manila's congested university district, a fire official said.

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Four students were also injured in the blaze, which apparently started in the ground floor kitchen, said Fire Marshall Pablito Cordeta.

He said many of the dead failed to rush out of the building after a night of drinking, and some were found near a fire exit on the second floor. Suitcases and other belongings also blocked exits, making it difficult for people to escape.

"The ones who were drunk had weak reflexes and others dragged their belongings with them, slowing down their evacuation," Cordeta said.

Manila, a thickly populated city, was hit by more than 400 fires last year.