CALBAYOG CITY– A fire of still unknown origin resulted in the death of a minor and the injury of one occupant in Calbayog City on Wednesday (Jan.4).
The fire incident hit a residence at about 1:48 am in Purok 5, Barangay Capoocan in the said city.
Calbayog Fire Marshal S/Insp. Jimmy Pasague identified the fatality as Lou Renz Bacsal, 14, student of Calbayog City National High School, while the injured victim was identified as Michael Montes, legal age, self-employed.
Bacsal’s mother, who is a nurse, was on duty in one of the hospitals of this city when the fire occurred.
Senior Fire Officer 1 Winnie Bartolome, case investigator, in an interview said that the fire, according to witnesses, started in the room of Montes.
She added that the house, made of concrete and wood materials, is owned by Pastor Daniel Montes, father of Michael.
SFO1 Bartolome continued that the fatality was found during clearing operations lifeless inside the room they occupied after the fire and suspected to have died of suffocation as no burns were found in his body.
Montes incurred second-degree burns on his feet and first-degree burns on his right.
The fire was controlled at about 2: 26 am and was totally put out at 2: 55 am.
Damage of the fire was estimated to be worth P720, 000.
(ROBERT DEJON)
