Family of 4 killed in Cainta blaze

MANILA, Philippines - A family of four was killed while two others were injured in a fire that gutted their bungalow in Cainta, Rizal Tuesday. Damage to property was placed at P800,000.

Arson investigators said the fatalities, Juliet, 62; Gary, 46; Francine, 4; and Butchay, 2, all surnamed Nepomuceno, were trapped in the fire that broke out in their house on Champaca Street at Greenland Subdivision in Barangay San Juan, Cainta.

Another family member, Mamerta Nepomuceno, 84, and a relative, Ligaya Nepomuceno, 58, sustained third-degree burns and were rushed to a nearby hospital.

Superintendent Mauricio Ramos, Rizal fire marshal, said the blaze started in the sala of the Nepomucenos’ house at around 4:19 a.m. while the victims were sound asleep.

According to a report received by Senior Superintendent Rolando Anduyan, Rizal police director, the Nepomucenos had had no electricity for a month now.

Anduyan said the family used a gas lamp to light their altar in the sala.

Ramos said the fire reached the first alarm and was declared under control by firemen at around 4:55 a.m.

Anduyan said the totally burned bodies of the four fatalities were recovered at the kitchen.

The fire did not spread to adjoining houses because of high firewalls. – Non Alquitran, Alexis Romero