ILOILO CITY – A 26-year-old call center agent and a 21-year-old college student died in a boarding house fire in Barangay San Nicolas La Paz District here on Sunday afternoon, February 18.
AN aerial photo of the February 18 fire in Barangay San Nicolas, La Paz, Iloilo City, that killed two people. (Iloilo City DRRMO/USAR)
The Bureau of Fire Protection-Iloilo City identified the fatalities as call center agent Lynrose Sobretodo of Pototan, Iloilo, and college student Renz Aguilar of Concepcion, Iloilo.
An initial report released by the BFP-Iloilo City said the victims were trapped on the third floor of the boarding house.
The victims were reportedly sleeping when the fire started and could not get out as the flames spread quickly.
The fire lasted for more than an hour and their bodies were discovered during clearing operations.
The Iloilo City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office said the fire totally damaged five and partially damaged two houses.
One-hundred fifty persons were affected, mostly boarders, who rent rooms near two state universities and two private colleges.
Mayor Jerry Treñas assured that the Iloilo City government will provide financial assistance to the fatalities.
“I condole with the families of the victims. The city government will give financial assistance for their burial,” said Treñas in a statement.
The City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) distributed relief goods to fire victims.
The CSWDO distributed 25 kilos of rice, 14 cans of sardines, 14 cans of corned beef, hygiene kits, sleeping kits, and kitchen kits to totally damaged households.
Ten kilos of rice, seven cans of sardines, and seven cans of corned beef were provided to people with partially damaged houses.
Boarders had two food packs each.