9 family members perish in Pasay City fire

Nine people were killed after fire engulfed a house in Maricaban, Pasay City, early Thursday morning, Darlene Cay reported on Unang Balita.

Only one resident survived the fire that hit a house located in Barangay 185 a few minutes after 2 a.m.

A report by Luisito Santos on Super Radyo's dzBB identified the survivor as Jasmin Calma.

LOOK: Si Jasmin Calma, ang nagiisang survivor sa sunog sa Maricaban Pasay City na ikinamatay ng 9 nyang kaanak @dzbb pic.twitter.com/nMaaZWQFzv

— Luisito Santos (@luisitosantos03) February 6, 2019

“Pinauna ako ng asawa kong lumabas. Kala ko kasunod ko na siya tsaka yung bunso ko. Bago ako lumabas, sumigaw pa yung panganay ko. Mama wala akong makita. Sabi ko, sumunod kayo dito palabas sa bintana,” Calma said in a report on Balitanghali.

According to the Bureau of Fire Protection in Pasay City, the fire spread quickly because the two-storey house was mostly made of light materials.

“Initially, may nagsasabi na kapitbahay na may renovation sa loob. So possible na baka may pintura o whatever na nakapagpalala sa pagsiklab ng apoy,” said city fire marshall Superintendent John Pinagod Jr.

The fire lasted for an hour and authorities only raised a first alarm.

Two families lived in the house and Calma is the mother of the family living on the second floor.

Those killed were identified as Michael Calma, Jasmin’s husband; and their children Mark Joseph, 23; John Clark,  17;  and Andrew James, 11.

Also killed were Julius Guablas, who was Jasmin’s brother; his wife Rheadela; and their children Jhulea, 16; Nichole, 9; and Andrei James, 3 — all living on the first floor of the house.

Authorities are conducting an investigation to determine the cause of the fire, but based on initial information, it may have been a problem with the electrical wiring. — with Joviland Rita/BAP/KBK, GMA News