A Hotel Fire in the Philippines Turns Deadly
STEPHEN FRAZIER, CNN ANCHOR: Turning now to international news: An electrical short circuit in a hotel in the Philippines hotel may have led to a deadly fire there. Investigators are looking into what started the blaze which killed at least 75 people and injured 50 others. Many victims were trapped inside because of bars on room windows. CNN's George Bauer has more</s>GEORGE BAUER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): As firefighters continued their search for victims, Philippine President Gloria Arroyo met with the injured at a local police headquarters. She also comforted relatives of the dead, promising financial aid. Inspectors cited the hotel recently because fire exits were blocked. Investigators got right to work.</s>MAYOR FELICIANO BELMONTE, QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES: We are going to conduct a very impartial and thorough investigation.</s>BAUER: The fire broke out early in the morning. Officials think it started in the hotel bar.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE (translated): We were sleeping and we heard some screams. We woke up and saw a huge fire but could not get out of the door. Three of our companions are still there.</s>BAUER: Most of the victims died of asphyxiation. The Philippine Bureau of Fire Protection says it is probably the deadliest hotel fire in the country's history. The hotel visitors were attending a religious conference organized by a U.S.-Based evangelist. Many Americans were at the conference, but official say all the dead appear to be Filipino. Just a day earlier, hundreds had offered prayers of hope and joy at their destiny conference. Now, they are offering prayers for the dead. George Bauer, CNN.