THREE people died after a house was gutted down by a fire at Block 22 Lot 8 NHA Subdivision, Hope Street, Barangay Buhangin, Buhangin District in Davao City on Monday, July 23.
Police identified the victims as Christopher Pascual, 47, an employee of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor), 47, his 40-year-old wife Rose and 12-year-old daughter Camille.
Initial investigation conducted by members of the Buhangin Police Station revealed that the incident happened around 4 a.m. Monday while the Pascual family was still sleeping.
The incident was witnessed by a lone survivor of the family, 17-year-old Pamela Pascual, who sustained injuries in different parts of her body following the incident. He was rescued by one of the neighbors who hurriedly responded.
Personnel of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Buhangin headed by Fire Inspector Eliezer Tabon, with the Filipino Chinese Fire Fighter, Fire Auxiliary Services and Central 911 controlled the fire about 5 a.m. of the same day.
According to reports obtained from the fire scene, the fire started at the kitchen of the house of the victims following an explosion that immediately razed the house.
The remains of the three victims now lie at Angel Funeral Homes on F. Torres Street, while the other victim is treated at the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) in Bajada, Davao City.
Personnel of Scene of the Crime Operatives (Soco) arrived in the area to conduct further investigation on the incident, which incurred about P1.2 million worth of damages.