MANILA, Feb. 27 (Xinhuanet) -- The death toll of the fire on a Philippine passenger ferry rose to two as the rescure operation expanded, official said Friday.

    Earlier report said 737 people, including 621 passengers and 116 crew survived. And 139 are still missing.

    Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said the initial investigation showed the fire was suspected of being sparked by an explosion at the Engine Room.

    PCG spokesman Arturo Gosingan said the rescue teams were still searching for missing people, but the victims' identifications were not yet available.

    Gosingan said a few survivors' testimonies showed the fire originated either from the vessel's circuit wiring or from its air-conditioning system.

    The crew were ordered to extinguish the fire before they lowered life rafts and abandoned the ship, which will be towed to shore, he added.

    Survivors told ABS-CBN TV program that they were waken up by a loud explosion below deck before the fire hit the Superferry 14, with 877 crew and passengers aboard, around 1:00 a.m. local time at the mouth of Manila Bay off Corregidor Island.

    The Philippine Navy also ordered the troops taking part in the Philippine-US join military exercises at the nearby coastal town to assist the rescue efforts. Enditem