2 execs die in DPWH fire

A Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) engineer and an architect were killed early yesterday in an hour-long blaze which hit the sleeping quarters of the DPWH-National Capital Region (NCR) office in Port Area, Manila and also destroyed at least three government vehicles.

Engineer Leo Dacarra, 35, and architect Marion Monge, approximately 43 years old, both of the Iriga City regional office of the DPWH in Bicol and assigned to its rural infrastructure division, were reportedly charred by the fire that engulfed the two-story wooden building of the DPWH-NCR along Chicago street, Port Area. The building is just behind the DPWH-NCR office.

"Initially, we received a report that the cause was faulty electrical wiring but (DPWH) Secretary (Simeon) Datumanong has ordered a thorough investigation to determine if this was really the cause," DPWH-NCR director Salvador Pleyto told the STAR.

The arson investigator on case, Senior Fire Officer 4 Danilo Talusan, could not be immediately reached for comment.

Based on the DPWH report of the incident, the fire broke out at about 2 a.m. on the second floor of the building that also housed the NCR’s motorpool, and raged until 3 a.m.

The sleeping quarters, comprised of three rooms, were located on the second floor with the victims occupying separate units.

The bodies of the victims were said to be found on the floor, indicating that they were awakened by the blaze but were unfortunately trapped inside. One of the fatalities reportedly had a carpentry saw beside him when found by firefighters.

"It is fortunate that it is no longer summer, otherwise, the quarters would be full of people as this is where our officials and engineers, who cannot afford to stay in hotels sleep in," said Pleyto. The two were reportedly in Manila for a seminar.

Pleyto said three service vans of the DPWH parked in the motorpool were destroyed. Only the sleeping quarters were engulfed by the fire; a bigger portion of the building was spared.

Initial estimate of damage to building made by engineer Audencio Reyes was pegged at P600,000.

"It could be the tangled electrical wires in the building that caused the fire since there are also squatters in the area," added the DPWH official, hinting that jumpers or illegal connections could have triggered the blaze.