Bus passenger who started fire in Fairview, QC identified

The passenger in the bus fire accident in Fairview, Quezon City last Sunday has been identified, according to a report by Allan Gatus on Dobol B sa News TV on Saturday.

The Bureau of Fire Protection-Quezon City identified the victim as Edwin Dejos, 49.

Investigation showed that Dejos and the conductor, Ameline "Amy" Sembrana, were former live-in partners and they had three children, according to BFP-QC operations chief Fire Chief Inspector Joseph del Mundo.

The two had an argument inside the bus allegedly due to the conductor's new partner.

The bus was on Pearl Drive corner Commonwealth Avenue when the accident happened on Jan. 3.

Some passengers were able to break the windows to get out of the burning vehicle.

According to some of the passengers who got out, the bus conductor and a passenger got into an argument, then the passenger doused the conductor with gasoline and lit a fire.

Both Dejos and Sembrana died as fire razed the entire bus.

Firemen inspect the damage after a passenger bus caught fire on Commonwealth Avenue, Fairview, Quezon City past noon on Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021. Two people died in the incident.  Jhomer Apresto/Super Radyo dzBB

While the bus was equipped with a fire extinguisher, the driver had to run out of the vehicle after his arm caught fire just as he was picking up the extinguisher.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board said it would conduct its own investigation into the incident.

Del Mundo said no one has so far claimed the remains of Dejos which are at Rizalde Funeral Services in Barangay Payatas in Quezon City.

Dejos' relatives are reportedly in Cebu.

His twin brother, who was also allegedly the former husband of the conductor, has passed away.

Sembrana left nine children, including twins who are only a year old, according to her father Orlando.

There was no alternative but to accept the death of Sembrana since the suspect in the crime died with her, Orlando said. —KG, GMA News