A couple who were both teachers, along with their young daughter, lost their lives after a fire consumed their home in Barangay Infante, Molo, Iloilo City early this morning.
The victims were identified by their family as Julius and Louelyn Reyes, both in their forties, and their seven-year-old daughter, Amber Marie.
Initial reports indicate that one of the victims was a teacher at Iloilo City National High School.
In an interview with Bombo Radyo, Jiro Gregorio, Louelyn’s brother-in-law and a resident of the same house, recalled waking up to the fire and how everything happened so fast. In their panic, they rushed to escape.
Gregorio said he could still hear the couple and their child screaming for help. He believes they were unable to exit in time because the fire exit was locked.
Overcome with emotion, Jiro shared that they tried to save the victims but were unable to do so due to the intense heat.
Meanwhile, Louelyn’s brother, Noel Agustin, stated that the victims had asthma, which may have caused them to lose consciousness quickly, preventing them from escaping.
Reports indicate that the house, built in the 1960s with light materials, was easily engulfed by the flames.
Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire, while SOCO personnel have arrived at the scene to recover the victims’ remains.
According to the Bureau of Fire Protection, the fire call was received at 4:56 AM today. The status was raised to a second alarm at 5:02 AM, brought under control by 5:17 AM, and completely extinguished by 5:25 AM.
This fire incident occurred during the observance of Fire Prevention Month.
