Indian dies in San Juan fire

An Indian businessman rushed back into his burning house late Monday afternoon in San Juan, thinking that his mother was trapped inside.

But Rahajan Merpuri, 45, was the one trapped, not knowing that his 70-year-old mother had already slipped out of the house.

Fire Inspector Eloy Gabriel, head of the San Juan Fire Department, said Merpuri’s body was found inside the bathroom. He sustained fourth degree burns and could have suffocated to death.

Investigation showed that the fire was caused by faulty electrical wiring. The Mepruri’s housemaids claimed they saw fire billowing out of the ceiling in the living room. Gabriel estimated the damage to property at P7 million.

The San Juan Fire Department noted that the fire began at around 4:45 p.m. and reached the fourth alarm. It was only put out at 6:22 p.m.

About 12 firetrucks from the nearby cities of Mandaluyong, Marikina and Pasig and Pateros town arrived and battled the fire.

Only Merpuri’s house, at 16 Jackson St., West Greenhills, was engulfed by the fire. Witnesses said the victim had already run out of the house but decided to go back inside when he failed to see his mother, after checking around. – Non Alquitran