TRAGEDY. Firefighters put out the blaze engulfing a building that houses an automotive store in Olongapo City on Wednesday (Nov. 13, 2019). A married couple and their two-year-old son died in the early morning fire. (Photo by Mahatma Datu)
OLONGAPO CITY -- A married couple and their two-year old son died when a fire gutted an automotive store building where they were staying in this city on Wednesday.
Mariano and Aira Panganiban and their son, Ricardo, perished in the 5 a.m. blaze that started at the ground floor and went up to their residence at the fourth floor.
City Fire Marshall, Chief Inspector Arvin Christian Santos, said the family probably died of asphyxiation from the smoke.
“They succumbed to the flames and could not get out of the building since there was no fire exit in the fourth floor, and it was surrounded by grills,” Santos said.
He added that putting the fire out was hard for the firefighters because of the highly combustible automotive fluids, rubber tires, and other materials in the store which contributed to the strong flames that engulfed the building.
The building also had narrow passageways that slowed down the progress of firefighters, he said.
Authorities declared the fire under control after more than three hours.
It was estimated that some PHP50 million worth of properties were destroyed in the blaze.
Olongapo Mayor Rolen Paulino Jr. said, "It is unfortunate that we lost three lives today because of the fire, but I would like to say thank you to all our responders for the fast response and to the residents who volunteered to help."
Investigation as to the cause of the fire is still ongoing. (PNA)
