Family of 5 killed, 2 hurt as fire razes illegal oil storehouse

MANILA, Philippines – A family of five, including an eight-year-old girl, died in a fire that hit a clandestine gasoline storage facility at a compound in Pangarap Village, Caloocan City before midnight Monday.

Senior Fire Officer 4 Randy Resurreccion said in a report that they recovered the charred remains of the victims, found huddled in the bathroom of the house. They were identified as Irene Galleta, 43; Irene Tabuenas, 61; Mary Rose Tabuenas, 22; Joseph Galeta, 16; and Olivia Manalay, eight.

Ruber Tabenas and a 10-year-old boy named Bobby were reported as having suffered severe burns.

According to initial reports, the fire broke out at around 9:10 p.m. in the compound along Sunflower and Narra street, which houses several one-story structures used as a clandestine gasoline storehouse. The blaze was put under control an hour later.

Investigators found that a full-size gasoline pumping machine was set right at the door of the house where the fire started.

Resurreccion said witness April Dumail stated that just before the fire started, she heard the sound of liquid flowing, followed by an explosion.

Fire investigators are also verifying the account of one of the survivors that a cigarette butt was thrown into the house before the fire broke out.