Family of five, helper killed in Pasig fire

MANILA, Philippines - A family of five and their helper were killed in a fire that broke out at a squatter’s area near their house in Barangay Pinagbuhatan, Pasig City at dawn yesterday.

At least 50 houses were destroyed by the fire and damage to property was placed at P1 million.

Those killed were identified as Joseph and Ana Marie Edloy; and their children, Joanna Marie, four; Jelaiza, three; and Brian, two. Firemen later recovered the body of the family’s helper, Jessica Palermo.

Arson investigators said the fire started at the house of Jeffrey Alano along Baltazar street at about 1 a.m. yesterday.

“There was a lighted candle, which was left unattended, that started the fire while most of the people in the barangay were sound asleep,” a resident said.

The residents tried to battle the fire by dousing it with pails of water. However, strong winds fanned the blaze to adjoining houses, which were made of light materials.Firefighters from Pasig City and nearby areas put out the fire, which reached the third alarm, after an hour.

The members of the Edloy family died embracing each other. The body of Palermo, who was earlier reported missing, was found after firefighters put out the blaze at around 2 a.m.

City Councilor Rodrigo Asilo, a former chairman of Barangay Pinagbuhatan, said residents use candles to light their homes because there is no electricity in the barangay. The fire is the fourth to hit the area in recent years, he said.

At least 42 families will spend Christmas in evacuation centers because they lost their homes in the fire, he said.