Carmen fire kills boy, pregnant ma

HOSPITAL worker Lowen Paderanga’s cellphone rang after 4:30 am yesterday. The voice at the other end of the line was from a hysterical woman, crying out for help because fire broke out.

The caller was Paderanga’s pregnant wife Mary Jane, 36, who died in the fire that razed to the ground eight houses at Elumba Compound, Mabolo Street in Zone 3, Carmen, this city.

Their five-year-old son Kian Hansen also died in the fire.

Paderanga, 35, who was working in a hospital, was devastated over the loss.

“Misingit siya nga nangayog tabang, apan wala koy nahimo,” he said.

That was the last time Paderanga ever heard his wife’s voice. Mary Jane was five months pregnant.

Paderanga’s 77-year old mother Lolita broke into tears: “Mas maayo pag ako nalang ang namatay kay sa akong apo.”

She said Kian Hansen was excited because he was supposed to start going to school this Monday.

Investigators said the victims were trapped inside their house as the fire quickly spread at around 4:45 am..

Fire Insp. Arnold Lagbas of the Carmen fire station, said the fire reportedly started at the house of one Erwin Santos, just about 50 meters from the Carmen fire station, and near the barangay hall and public market.

It took firefighters less than 30 minutes to place the fire under control, and by 5:25 am when the fire station declared a “fire-out,” the charred remains of Paderanga’s wife and son were found in the debris.

Scene of the Crime Operatives (Soco) medical officer Dr. Christian Caballes said the victims died of suffocation.

City Fire District Fire marshal Sherley Teleron said the fire quickly spread because the houses were mostly made of highly combustible materials.

Teleron said fire fighters also had difficulties because the pathway was only less that a meter wide.

Residents were repeatedly warned and told to vacate, said Rep. Rolando Uy of the city’s 1st District.

Uy said he was saddened because the residents were advised to avail of a resettlement program of city hall just last month.

“Diha man gud ni sila gapuyo sa ibabaw sa creek og sila mismo nasayod nga dili sila puwede magpuyo diha tungod kay they are living within a danger zone,” he said.

Uy said residents were also asked to remove structures they built along the creek.

“Wala naman gud ni sila maghuna-huna nga daghan ma-puwerhisyo kay ilang gitambakan ang part sa creek. Nasunog naman ang area og dili na kini pabalayan. Our congressional office will facilitate their immediate relocation,” he said.

Displaced families are now being housed at the Carmen barangay hall.

Teleron, who placed the structural damages at P500 thousand, said people living in slums should at least ensure a wider pathway to make it easier for fire fighters to do their work in case of fire.