2 dead, 1 hurt in Tondo house fire

While a celebration to many, the Feast of Sto. Niño de Tondo was a day of mourning for a family in Barangay 48, Barrio Menu, Tondo, Manila, after a 58-year-old man and his 43-year-old niece died in a fire that hit their home on Sunday afternoon.

Several residents in the barangay also joined efforts to douse the fire, which reached first alarm and lasted for some 30 minutes before it was completely extinguished past 5 p.m.

Around nine families were affected, according to barangay authorities.

A senior citizen suffered second-degree burns and was brought to the hospital.

“Akala ho namin okay na kasi ‘yung senior citizen na nailabas namin, nalapnos ‘yung likod, naipadala namin sa ambulansya,” Brgy. 48 Chairman Boyet dela Rea said.

(We thought the worst was over when we rescued and took to the ambulance a senior citizen with burn wounds on his back.)

But authorities later discovered that two were killed after getting trapped in the burning house.

“Umakyat ulit si Papa kasi nandoon ‘yung pinsan ko. Hindi na po sila bumaba. Mahal na mahal ko po si Papa. Hindi ko po papabayaan si Mama at ang kapatid ko. Sobrang sakit. Hindi din naman po inaasahan na ganu'n mangyayari,” said the 58-year old victim’s son.

(My Papa went back into the house because my cousin was still there. They didn’t make it back down. I love my Papa so much. I’ll take care of Mama and my sibling. It hurts so much. I didn’t expect that this would happen.)

The brother of the 43-year-old victim, who opted not to be named, recalled instructing his sister to get out of the house by passing through their stairs, while he returned to his room.

After a few minutes, he said the flames grew and engulfed the area outside his room, trapping him inside.

But he was later rescued when a barangay officer climbed a ladder from outside to safely get him out from the third floor of the house.

His sister, however, did not make it.

“Masakit, siyempre. Hindi ko naman in-expect na babalik Ate ko. Ate, pasensiya. Hindi ko alam na bumalik ka eh,” he said.

(Of course, it hurts. I didn’t expect my sister to come back. Ate, I’m sorry. I didn’t know you came back.)

The cause of the fire is still under investigation by the Bureau of Fire Protection.

Authorities and even some neighbors have extended assistance to the nine families affected by the fire.

“Inasikaso agad namin ‘yung nine families. Pasalamat na ho sa mga kapitbahay na nag-ano ng pwede nilang tulugan pansamantala,” said dela Rea said.

(We gave assistance to the nine families. We’re thankful to the neighbors who offered a place for them to temporarily sleep in.) —KG, GMA Integrated News