Story number 2 for 22 Aug 2001

(Philippines)–Next, officials in the Philippines are pressing criminal charges against a hotel owner. A deadly Saturday blaze swept through the suburban hotel in Manila, killing 73 people, many of them thought to be Christians. Fire investigators say the hotel had a history of violating safety regulations, which they believe contributed to the death toll. According to Assist News Service, most of the victims were participants at a weekend conference organized by Christian evangelists.