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CNN Live Saturday

Deadliest Hotel Fire In Philippines

Aired August 18, 2001 - 15:23   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DONNA KELLEY, CNN ANCHOR: In the Philippines, guests are trapped inside a hotel during a fatal fire. Many could not escape because of bars on their windows. At least 75 are dead, and 54 others hurt.

CNN's George Bauer has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

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.

MAYOR FELICIANO BELMONTE, QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES: We are going to conduct a very impartial and thorough investigation. (UNINTELLIGIBLE), a credible head of a fact-finding organization, who is not even connected with Quezon City government.

BAUER: The fire broke out early in the morning. Officials think it started in the hotel bar.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (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.

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.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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