At least two women died in a fire that hit a residential compound in Manila's Sampaloc district Wednesday afternoon, dzBB radio reported.

The report cited initial information identifying the fatalities as Geneviva Sagul, 80; and Mary Grace Cabarete, 23, of Anzures Street, Sampaloc, Manila.

It said the two were inside the compound when the fire hit. Arson investigators said the fire reached the fifth alarm before firefighters could put it out.

A neighbor, Bonifacio Lipata, said he was in front of 709 Anzures St. when he heard a loud explosion coming from the compound, and saw smoke coming out from it.