By Diann Calucin
Six family members, including three children and a senior citizen, died when a fire gutted their house in Villa Corina Subdivision, Barangay Pasong Tamo, Quezon City on Saturday, Oct. 15.
The Quezon City Fire District (QCFD) said the victims -- a 37-year-old-man, a 30-year-old woman, and their three sons aged 12, seven, and two; and a 79-year-old male relative -- were trapped in their burning house.
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said the fire started at around 1:54 a.m. and was raised to first alarm at 2:08 a.m.
The fire was declared under control at 3:05 a.m. It was extinguished at around 3:20 a.m.
According to QCFD investigator Senior Fire Officer 3 Rolando Valena, the family tried to get out of the house but the fire originated on the ground floor, which was the only way to exit their home.
He noted the bodies of the senior citizen and the 37-year-old man were found on the ground floor, the mother and her two-year-old son on the staircase, while the 12-year-old and seven-year-old sons were discovered on the second floor.
He said that the victims' bodies are currently at a funeral service in La Loma, Quezon City.
Valena added the estimated damage to property was pegged at P1.5 million.
The cause of the fire remains unknown.
Arson probers are still investigating the cause of the fire.