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Tuesday, March 08, 2005
3 brothers, cousin die in Pampanga town fire
By Marna H. Dagumboy and Rhay G. Navales
GUAGUA -- Four minors were killed in a fire that razed four residential houses, a commercial building and a two-storey apartment at a barangay in this town of Pampanga at dawn Monday.
At least 17 families were reported affected by the blaze in Barangay San Juan.
Inspector Rodel M. Manuel, municipal fire marshal, identified the fatalities as brothers Albert Gonzales, 16, Raymond, 13, and Eddie, 9, and their cousin William Mendoza.
The fire, which started at 2 a.m., reportedly originated from the second floor of the apartment where the older brother of the Gonzales boys--Carlo--was residing.
A day earlier, a six-hour fire hit the LNE Trading Company in San Fernando City, also in Pampanga, burning wooden posts and chemicals stored there. No one was reported killed or hurt in the incident but the fire caused loud explosions and produced black smoke rising to as high as 100 feet.
In Monday's incident in Guagua, fire investigators believed the victims, three brothers and their cousin, took a nap and forgot to turn off the television set, causing it to overheat.
Investigators are also looking into faulty electrical wiring as the cause of the fire, which was put under control at around 2:30 a.m.
Estimated amount of damages caused by the fire has yet to be determined.
Susan Mendoza, mother of the victims, said Carlo, the eldest, was out of the apartment because he went to the hospital to attend to his wife who has just given birth.
Afraid of losing his appliances to burglars, Carlo asked his mother Susan to look after his apartment.
After Carlo left, Susan said one of his brothers asked if he and his brothers could watch TV.
Investigators said the children suffocated to death as they were trapped inside the apartment.
One of the residents told investigators they failed to save the children because the fire spread rapidly.
Pampanga Governor Mark T. Lapid, who visited the site of the incident, urged the Provincial Disaster Management Office (PDMO) to deliver materials for the construction of the gutted shanties. He also donated financial assistance to the families of the victims and distributed some relief goods.
The local government unit here, through Councilors Divine Tulio, Anthony Twaño and Michael Mallari and the social welfare office, also extended assistance to the fire victims by distributing foodstuffs and other basic necessities.
Tulio said the affected families were relocated to the San Juan chapel.
(March 8, 2005 issue)
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