A 79-year-old woman was killed and her 62-year-old husband was injured in a fire in Barangay Alijis, Bacolod City on Wednesday, May 6. (Chamber Volunteer Fire Brigade)
BACOLOD CITY – A 79-year-old woman was killed and her husband was injured in a fire on Wednesday, May 6, in Purok Maanyag 2, Barangay Alijis here.
Fire Insp. Jemarie Tapiru, deputy city fire marshal, identified the victim as Rosa Magbanua.
Tapiru said the fire broke out at 9:45 p.m. but was only reported by residents at 10:04 p.m. due to panic.
She said the fire started from the room of a house owned by Flordeliza and occupied by her son. Tapiru added that the fire was triggered by lithium batteries from a power bank that exploded due to internal failure.
The elderly couple was sleeping when 62-year-old Jose Magbanua noticed smoke beside their room.
Rosa told Jose to leave her behind and ensure his safety as she was old and was her time to die.
Firefighters recovered Rosa's body in their room during mopping-up operations. Her husband sustained second-degree burns in the neck.
Two houses and four homes were partially and totally damaged. Damage to property was P35,000. Fire out was declared at 10:21 p.m. Six families or 15 individuals were affected.
Mayor Greg Gasataya, in a statement, acknowledged the selfless act of the victim. The city government condoled with the victims’ family.
Gasataya assured necessary support for their family and urged the public to remain vigilant and keep their homes and families safe.
Hours later, a fire destroyed two houses and two sari-sari stores in Purok Magnolia, 16th Lacson St., Barangay 7 here at 2:09 a.m. Thursday.
Three families or 18 individuals were displaced. Damage to property was P975,000. Fire out was declared at 2:24 a.m. Tapiru said the fire was caused by electrical ignition due to arcing from one of the sari-sari stores.