3 senior citizens die in fire in Taytay, Rizal

Days before the start of the Fire Prevention Month, tragedy struck a barangay in Taytay, Rizal after three senior citizens died in a fire on Sunday night.

The three fatalities were sisters, according to a report by Bam Alegre on Unang Balita on Monday.

The fire started past 9 p.m. in a residential area on Kilometer 36 in Barangay Dolores.

According to the Bureau of Fire Protection-Taytay, the fire quickly spread from one house to two adjacent houses.

The fire was already big when responders arrived, thus the BFP raised Alert Level 1. This means four fire trucks were needed.

Firemen were able to put out the fire within one hour, but with difficulty.

"Nahirapan po ang mga bumbero natin kasi bawat tapak nila sa tubig at sa yero, nakukuryente po sila, pati rin po ako, kasi po kami ang mga first responder. Yung wire nakadikit sa bakal," BFP Taytay Fire Officer 1 John Randolph Baldonado said.

(Our firemen had a hard time because with each step they take on water and on the roof, they are electrocuted. Even I was electrocuted, as we were the first responders. The wire is stuck to the steel.)

According to a relative, two of the victims were able to leave their burning house but they went back to get their other sister who was a person with disability.

Unfortunately, all three were trapped in the burning house and died.

The BFP is still investigating the cause of the fire.

Initial property damage was pegged at P350,000 but assessment is still ongoing.

Meanwhile, the BFP reminded the public to exercise caution to prevent fires.

"Remind ko lang po sa publiko na iwasan nating iwanan na nakasaksak at naka-on 'yung ating mga appliances. Kadalasan kasi, 'yon ang mga sanhi ng sunog natin. Kagaya rin po ng pagluluto natin, huwag rin po nating iiwanan. 'Yon po ang madalas na sanhi ng sunog dito sa Taytay," Baldonado said.

(I just want to remind the public to avoid leaving appliances turned on unattended and plugged in electrical outlets. Oftentimes, that is the cause of fires. Likewise, when cooking, do not leave the stove unattended. That is the common cause of fire here in Taytay.)

Fire Prevention Month is observed annually in March. —KG, GMA Integrated News