3 killed, several hurt in Manila Pavilion fire

Three people have been confirmed killed by the fire that struck the Manila Pavilion Hotel on Sunday morning.

The victims were declared dead upon their arrival at the Manila Doctor's Hospital.

The Manila Police District (MPD) has confirmed that three fatalities were Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) employees at the casino area. Two of them have  been identified as Jun Evangelista, a treasury officer and Billy de Castro, intern security.

The MPD and Manila City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council earlier reported that four people were confirmed killed in the fire.

The Manila Doctor's Hospital, however, clarified in a press briefing at past 4 p.m. that there were only three fatalities. It said the fourth supposed fatality was revived by its personnel.

The victim, however, remained in critical condition.

The hospital also said that it was treating 13 other people due to injuries from the fire.

Two more PAGCOR employees were still missing.

Johnny Yu, head of the Manila City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, said the injured victims are a mix of guests and employees.

Fire broke out at the hotel at 9:52 a.m.  As of noon, the fire's alarm has been raised to Task Force Bravo.

WATCH: Patuloy na inaapula ng mga bumbero ang sunog sa Manila Pavillion Hotel and Casino. | via Mao Dela Cruz pic.twitter.com/MThdP3rBZ1

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) March 18, 2018

Yu said the fire at the hotel has gutted the casino area and fire still rages at the mezzanine to the third floor.

He said the fire could have started from the casino area or the mezzanine floor.

Yu said firefighters were trying to prevent the fire from the reaching the upper floors.

^{Photos by Vielle Discaya} 

The 22-floor hotel is located at the corner of United Nations Avenue and Maria Orosa Street in Ermita district, just a few meters away from the United States Embassy.

The perimeter of the hotel was closed to traffic, particularly on the United Nations Avenue and Maria Orosa Street.

PAGCOR, meanwhile, assured it will assist the victims of the deadly hotel fire.

"Lahat ng tulong ibibigay ng PAGCOR, tulad nung siyempre meron kaming tinatawag na abuloy, aside from that hindi ko lang maano lahat 'yung mga tulong no? Pero marami pang tulong na ibibigay," PAGCOR communications director Carmelita Valdez told reporters.

"Siniguro ni chairman Andrea Domingo na maximum lahat ang tulong na mabibigay dito sa ating mga empleyado na nasawi and also doon sa mga empleyado na posibleng ma-misplace dahil wala silang papasukan. Continued pa rin ang kanilang suweldo maski wala silang assignment pa sa ngayon," Valdez added.

PAGCOR said it has 75 casino employees at the hotel.

As of this writing, authorities have yet to declare fire out at the hotel. —with Anna Felicia Bajo, Erwin Colcol with Peewee Bacuño/LBG/ALG, GMA News