Helper killed in Marikina fire

MANILA, Philippines - A helper was killed while his two companions suffered third degree burns and are now fighting for their lives in a hospital in a 30-minute fire that hit a pawnshop in Marikina City Wednesday.

Damage to property was placed at P10,000.

Killed was Pablo Cuerdo, 34, a helper of technicians conducting repairs of an air-conditioning unit of the Santolan Pawnshop located in the corner of Bayan-Bayanan Ave., and Shoe Ave., Barangay Concepcion 1. Those being treated at the Garcia hospital for third degree burns were Arnold Brun, 30, and Noriel Gonzales, 32, both air-con technicians.

Fire prober SFO2 Danilo Santos said the trio was hired by building owner Arnold Agsain, to repair the air-conditioning unit of the pawnshop.

While the victims were tinkering with the defective aircon unit at the second floor of the building, a high tension wire accidentally hit the galvanized iron of the roof triggering a loud explosion which started the fire.

Cuerdo, who was holding the electrical wire, was thrown several feet away and fell on the floor. The two other workers were also electrocuted.

Responding firemen from the Marikina City fire station put out the fire after 30 minutes.

Firemen discovered Cuerdo’s badly burned body on the second floor. He was already dead. The two other victims were also found on the second floor and rushed to the nearby hospital.

The Marikina City fire investigators are still conducting an investigation into the incident.