FIVE individuals were charred to death after they were trapped inside their residence when a fire erupted yesterday at 2 pm in Barangay 34, Cagayan de Oro City.
Lt. Sam Velarde of the Bureau of Fire and Protection (BFP), who was also the ground commander in the area during the incident, identified the victims as Chevice Cagampang, 25, and her partner Melvin Sabteniente, 26.
Also killed were their two children also identified as Charade Venz Sabteniente, nine; and Shider Jed Cagampang, 10. While another two-year-old Sems Wheind Balana, a nephew was also killed.
Velarde said fire investigators are still looking what really the origin of the said conflagration.
“Matud sa naka witness sa maong sunog nagsugod daw ang kalayo sa ikaduhang andana sa maong balay diin atoa pud didto nangatulog ang mga biktima. Nakita nalang niya ang kalayo didto nanggawas sa butanganan sa aircondition unit,” Velarde said.
He also said that firefighters were having a hard time entering the place where the fire occurred due to a very narrow way.
The place, it was learned, is crowded with houses with limited access to a road.
However, firewalls prevented the fire to escalate further to other houses.
The BFP placed the estimated damage to the property at P50,000.
Meanwhile, Engr. Armin Cuenca, City Local Environment and Natural Resources Office head said the five bodies were already cremated at the city’s crematorium for free.
Aside from the Cagampangs another two adjacent houses owned by Edgardo Lopez and Evelyn Simbajon were also partially burnt. Luckily, no one was hurt.
Personnel from the city’s Urban Search and Rescue (USAR), and other private firefighting units responded to the area.
Disclaimer
Mindanao Gold Star Daily holds the copyrights of all articles and photos in perpetuity. Any unauthorized reproduction in any platform, electronic and hardcopy, shall be liable for copyright infringement under the Intellectual Property Rights Law of the Philippines.
