An elderly couple and their three grandchildren died after being trapped inside their house during a fire that broke out in a residential area at the border of Makati and Taguig cities on the eve of the nationwide observance of Fire Prevention Month.
Chief Inspector Ian Guerrero, Taguig fire marshal, identified the fatalities as couple Ramon, 78, and Virginia Benjamin, 68; and their grandchildren Franklin Lozano, 8; Francine, 12; and France John, 6; all residents of Palar Street, Barangay Pinagsama, Taguig.
Report reaching the Southern Police District (SPD) said the fire started at the house of one Melanie Castro on Abot St., Brgy. Southside, Makati, around 8:30 p.m and spread to adjacent houses at the boarder of Barangay Pinagsama.
Investigators were eyeing an unattended candle or a toppled kerosene lamp as the cause of the fire since there was no electricity at Castro’s residence that time.
Ten houses made of light materials were gutted in the fire, including the house of the victims, investigators said.
Guerrero said that victims’ house was situated at the farthest back of the columns of the burnt houses where only a narrow street served as an exit.
The victims were found roasted in the sala of the house as they apparently tried to escape the fire, he added.
“Ang lalaking biktima po ay mahina ang paningin. ‘Yung babae naman po ay may kapansanan po, lumpo po, yes, kaya nahirapan po sila makalabas. Apparently, nang magkagulo ay hindi agad sila naka-exit dahil nasunog na ‘yung eskinita kaya na-trap sila. Burned alive po silang lima,” Guerrero said.
The father of the three children, Frank, said he just came from work with her wife when they found out that their house was already burning.
Investigators said the fire reached the second alarm and was put out around 9:40 p.m. The cost of damage to property was placed at around R200,000.
The cadavers of the victims were brought to a funeral house in Taguig City for autopsy.
Meanwhile, Guerrero advised the public to always be careful and observe precautionary measures to avoid fire accidents, especially this March, regarded as the nationwide Fire Prevention Month. (MARTIN A. SADONGDONG)
