AN ELDERLY couple was killed in a fire that engulfed their two-story house at Turquoise Street, City Heights Subdivision, Barangay Taculing, Bacolod City, on Monday morning, June 30, 2025.
The fatalities were identified as Edison Lopez Hibionada, 80, and his wife, Emelyn Genosa Hibionada, 81.
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-Bacolod received a fire call around 4:14 a.m., according to City Fire Marshal Superintendent Jenny Mae Masip. Firefighters found the two-story house fully ablaze upon arrival.
Masip said the couple, trapped inside, died from the fire.
She said Edison, a bedridden, was staying in the living room while his wife was staying on the second floor.
She said Emelyn’s body was found in the living room and most probably, she tried to escape, but the design of their house was full of grills, adding that even the firefighters had difficulty entering the house.
Masip noted that Edison’s body was also found in the living room.
Masip said the couple has six children, three of them living in the United States while three others are here in Bacolod, but living in separate houses.
She said the couple has a helper but used to stay with them during the day time only.
The fire was put out at about 4:41 a.m. and destroyed at least P3 million worth of properties.
The BFP is still conducting a thorough investigation to determine the cause of fire. (MAP)