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.</s>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.</s>MAYOR FELICIANO BELMONTE, QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES: We are going to conduct a very impartial and thorough investigation.</s>BAUER: The fire broke out early in the morning. Officials think it started in the hotel bar.</s>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.</s>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.
Deadliest Hotel Fire In Philippines