Dad, 4 kids die in Pasay blaze

Five members of a family of nine, including four children, died in a fire that razed a residential compound in Pasay City last Saturday night.

Killed in the blaze that was initially blamed on a leaking liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tank were Ernesto de la Peña, 42, the father, and his four children Erlinda, 14; Erna, 13; Erlind, 7; and Ernie, 3.

They were burned beyond recognition after being trapped inside their house at 1814 V. Mayor street in Malibay, Pasay City.

The mother, Norma de la Peña, 42, and three other children identified as Erica, 11; Jerrymylud, 10, and AA, 2, survived with slight injuries.

Reports from the Pasay City Fire Department said the blaze started as dinner was being prepared in the family’s kitchen at around 6:30 p.m.

They failed to notice that the LPG tank was leaking.

The mother and three of their children managed to run out of the burning house.

However, the father and the four other children, failed to get out in time and got trapped.

Firefighters said the fire gutted two adjacent houses.

No casualties or injuries were reported since the occupants managed to get out in time.

Firemen were able to control the fire after two hours. Only then they were able to retrieve the bodies of the trapped father and his children.

Injured members of the family were brought to the San Juan de Dios Hospital in Pasay City and the Philippine General Hospital for first degree burns.

Probers placed the damage to property at around P300,000. They said a full investigation is being conducted.