MANILA: Authorities are still looking into what could be the cause of the fire that trapped and killed a family of six and their helper in Barangay Bungad, Quezon City on Christmas Day.
There were reports about a sky lantern flown by a neighbour of the Filamors’ across the street, even as an illegal connection was discovered on the ground floor of the apartment unit occupied by the Filamor family located in Rest Haven street.
However, Senior Superintendent Bobby Baruelo, city fire marshal, believes that the most probable cause was faulty electrical wiring.
The charred remains of veterinarian Carlos Filamor; his wife Corazon; their two children Carlos Jr and Eva; Eva’s two sons Miguel Andrei Mutuc and Mateo Aaron Mutuc; and family helper Marina Ayon were recovered after the flames were put out.
The family owned the 16 two-storey apartment units, all of which were razed by the flames, including the one they occupied. Some 80 persons are now staying at the village hall.
Village chairman Ricardo Corpuz said a neighbour admitted to having flown two sky lanterns made of paper.
Corpuz said he first heard of the account from a tricycle driver who saw the neighbour setting off the lanterns, which are set aloft when fire is lighted inside the lanterns.
One of these lanterns was reportedly found inside a factory nearby, while the second lantern has not been found.
Corpuz said some people believe this could have started the fire as it could have landed on the apartment units owned by the Filamors.
But Baruelo discounted this possibility because “if it really happened, the one who set off the lanterns would have seen it and informed those living in the apartment units.”
Based on accounts, the lanterns were flown at past 4am while the call received by firefighters about the fire incident was at 5:27am. The first alarm was set at 5:29am.
Baruelo said this would have meant the apartment units were already burning for about an hour before the fire fighters were called.
Corpuz claimed firemen were slow to respond, but Baruelo insisted that the firefighters would have responded immediately when called.
The Philippine star
