The two were found unconscious and lying on the floor, with police saying they still had pulses when firefighters brought them out. They were rushed to hospitals but were later declared dead.
The fire broke out at around 1 a.m. in the two-story house, which relatives said was built in the 1930s, and was declared out at 1:32 a.m.
A relative said he was about to use the bathroom when he noticed thick smoke coming from the house.
“Akala ko noong una, aircon lang na nagmalfunction at umuusok (At first, I thought it was just the air conditioner malfunctioning and producing smoke),” he said.
He immediately brought his family outside before rushing toward the burning house.
“Nilabas ko muna yung mag-ina ko, tapos tumakbo ako doon sa kabilang bahay. Pero sobrang kapal na ng usok (I brought my wife and child outside first, then ran to the other house. But the smoke was already very thick),” he said.
The family then called firefighters, who reportedly arrived about seven minutes later.
By the time responders reached the house, thick smoke had already filled the lower portion of the structure. The doors were also reportedly heavily locked, preventing firefighters from immediately entering through the ground floor.
Firefighters instead worked to open a window fitted with metal grills to gain access. After several minutes, they were able to enter and found the two victims unconscious and lying on the floor.
Fire responders said the victims still had pulses when they were brought out of the house. They were rushed to hospitals but were later declared dead.
The victims reportedly had no visible burns or wounds, raising the possibility that they may have died from smoke inhalation or suffocation. The exact cause of death, however, will have to be determined by the proper authorities.
A dog was also found unconscious inside the house. Neighbors desperately tried to revive the animal, with some performing CPR and others attempting mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. It was later brought to a veterinary clinic along Dapitan Street but could no longer be revived.
No adjacent structures were reported affected by the fire.
Initial information indicated that an electrical problem involving wires may have caused the fire, although authorities have yet to establish the official cause.
The incident remains under investigation.