A couple died after a fire hit a building near a public market in Barangay Dadiangas South, General Santos City.

Authorities said the 50-year-old man identified as Saeb Sapal died after he was trapped while saving his wife, his three-year-old daughter, and three other children of other families living in the building.

“Pag break out sa fire gi-alarma niya seguro ang mga family member gi-una niya salba ang mga tagbalay then duna pa siyay gipangita hangtud nga na-trap siya didto banda sa may tunga sa ilang karenderia,” Barangay Councilman Thaddeus Catapang, said.

The man’s wife was brought to the hospital but died on Sunday, August 17, 2025 due to third-degree burns.

The remains of the couple are now with their family.

The barangay said the fire may have started when Sapal was preparing the food for their eatery.

The fire may have reached the ceiling and spread quickly as the eatery and the materials inside were made of light materials.

“Nagbutang siya sa iyang lamas, seguro kusug ang kalayo sa iyang nilutuan, gidakop, kay nagtalsik siguro ang mga oil, gidakop sa kalayo. So since Ilang ceiling ing ani lang kataas possible nga naabut ang ceiling kay tungod ang unod sa ilang carenderia mga light materials,” Catapang added.

The eatery and other stalls and carts selling vegetables and cooking ingredients were affected.

The fire was put out after nearly an hour.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire.

The barangay has recognized Sapal as a hero for risking his life to save others.

“Gi-declare pud namu si Mr. Sapal as a hero kay tungod sa iyang gihimong pagsalba sa iyang mga kabataan nga hapit napud na trap didtu pud sa sunog,” Catapang said.

The barangay also pledged assistance to the three families affected.