BACOLOD CITY – A policeman died after he got trapped inside a burning house in Barangay San Fernando, Talisay City, Negros Occidental on Christmas Day, Dec. 25.
Police Cpl. Jobert Diasanta, 36, of Barangay Matab-ang, came from duty at Silay City Police Station, when he decided to rest at his parents’ house.
Police Maj. Jigger Gimeno, Talisay City police chief, said Diasanta was asleep in a room when the fire broke out around 5:30 a.m.
Diasanta’s younger brother, who was sleeping in another room tried to save his elder brother but the already huge fire prevented him from doing so.
Diasanta’s brother managed to get out of the house as his room was near the main door, while their parents were not at home when it happened as they attended a mass, Gimeno added.
Gimeno said the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) is looking into an unattended candle as possible cause of fire.
Gimeno said that portion of Barangay San Fernando still has no electricity due to the recent devastation caused by Super Typhoon Odette. Thus, they opted to use candles and improvised lamp.
Gimeno said the BFP responded immediately thus, neighboring houses were not affected by the blaze, which was declared fire out an hour later.
The house made of mixed concrete and light materials was destroyed. Diasanta’s issued firearm was recovered.
Gimeno said they subjected Diasanta’s body for autopsy to determine the cause of his death.
“We don’t know yet if he died of suffocation,” the police chief added.