Six members of a family killed in Urdaneta residential fire

A pre-dawn fire swept through a residential area in Urdaneta City, Pangasinan, killing six members of a family and destroying two houses, authorities said.

The fire broke out around 2 a.m. on April 20, 2026, in Zone 2, Barangay Nancayasan. Investigators said the blaze likely started in a kitchen and spread quickly, trapping those inside.

“’Yun nga hindi agad sila nakapag-evacuate… may reported tayo na anim na namatay doon, na magkakamag-anak,” Senior Fire Officer 3 Nathaniel Aquino, deputy marshal of the Urdaneta City Fire Station, said.

(They were not able to evcuate... we have reports six family members died.)

Among those who died were two 11-year-old girls. Authorities said one of the victims was burned beyond recognition.

Relatives of the victims expressed grief over the incident.

“Sobrang sakit sir, hindi namin po alam kung paano kami magsisimula ulit. Lima po sila sa pamilya ko. Hindi ko alam paano kami magsisimula ulit. Masakit, sobrang sakit,” Riza Sarceda, a relative, said.

(It hurts so much, sir, we don't know how we can start again. Five of them were from my family. I don't know how to recover from this. This is really painful.)

Another family member, Arnel Dela Peña, described the condition of one victim.

“Sobrang sakit sir kasi yung pagkapatay niya sobrang sakit sir. Hindi mo na makilala mukha niya at katawan. Sunog na sunog,” he said.

(This really hurts, sir, because of the way she died, sir. You won't be able to recognize her anymore. The fire consumed her.)

Damage to property was estimated at around P3 million.

Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the fire and urged residents to remain vigilant to prevent similar incidents.—GMA Regional TV