Christmas Day fire kills 25 in Philippines

The fire struck the Unitop General Merchandising Store in Ormoc city, some 550km southeast of Manila, on Monday when the predominantly Catholic Philippines was celebrating Christmas Day.

Initial investigation said the seven-hour fire was caused by a "tracer bullet toy gun" fired by a shopper that hit a pile of firecrackers sold at the store, Ormoc police chief Manuel Cubillo said.

The store was not licensed to sell fire-crackers, which are traditionally used to greet the New Year here.

The fire quickly engulfed the front portion of the store, trapping panicked shoppers, Cubillo said.

He said 25 people perished in the fire, including a pregnant mother and her four-year-old son. The Office of Civil Defence in Manila said the casualties included two babies.