A family of three died while two firefighters were injured after a fire engulfed a two-story commercial building in Jolo, Sulu dawn on Tuesday, November 26, 2024.

The fire was raised to second alarm and was put out after nearly an hour.

Authorities said a couple and their 13-year-old son who were renting the second floor of the building may have been trapped inside the building and died of suffocation.

“Actually, ang sabi sa amin, yung lalaki at yung asawa (nakalabas) na sila. Tapos, yung anak naiwanan nila sa loob. Yun ang binalikan. Di na sila nakabalik kaagad, parang na-suffocate,” BFP-Jolo Acting Fire Marshall, SFO4 Abdulyakin Jamaluddin, said.

Two firefighters were also injured. One of the two was brought to a hospital in Zamboanga City after sustaining head injuries.

Investigators are still looking into the cause of the fire, as of this writing.

Damage to property reached around P400,000.

“As of now, still under investigation… bale, nag-start siya sa second floor talaga. Sabi ng mga occupants doon, pagkagising nila, malaki na kaagad ang sunog,” Jamaluddin added.

GMA Regional TV One Mindanao is reaching out to the president of the cooperative that manages the building for a statement, as of this writing.