TWO persons died after a fire of still unknown origin hit a lodging house in Quiapo, Manila at dawn yesterday.

Investigators identified one of the fatalities as Grace Mendoza Flores, 33, sales clerk and occupant of a room at the Red Apple Building located on 641 Quezon Boulevard, Quiapo.

Homicide prober SPO1 Amelito Lopez said Flores died of suffocation after she went back to the burning building to get some of her belongings.

The other victim was a male person described between 38 and 40 years old, 5’8” tall, slim-built and wearing a bonnet.

As of press time, the Manila Police District is investigating the possibility of a foul play in the death of the male victim said to be an occupant of Room 107 of the Red Apple Lodging Inn located inside the Red Apple Building.

Fire officer Louie Ebio said the fire broke out past 4 a.m. at the man’s room. He said the victim checked in at 12:05 a.m.

Lodging inn cashier Helen Omas-as said before the fire she heard a loud explosion coming from the victim’s room.

Omas-as ordered their staffers Leo Yuson and Raul Omas-as, to check on the victim’s room. The duo found the room ablaze.

Authorities believe there was foul play in the incident. They found out that the fire started on the victim’s bed which they said was unusual.

The blaze was totally put out at 6:50 a.m.