MANILA, March 8 (Xinhua) -- A couple and their seven-year-old daughter were killed when a fire ripped through at least three homes in Iloilo City in the central Philippines at dawn on Saturday, authorities said.

The Bureau of Fire Protection said the blaze, which started around 4:30 a.m. local time, gutted the victims' house and two neighboring homes.

The bureau said the remains of the three victims were found on the second floor, adding it is still investigating the cause of the fire.