City fire probers has yet to determine cause of Compania fire
It will take two to three weeks for the Iloilo City Fire Office to determine the cause of fire which killed a three-year old boy Monday morning at Barangay Compania Central, Molo district. Fire investigators estimated the damaged to property to P500,000.
Fire Officer 1 Ian Clarence said fire investigators are still conducting a probe on what caused the fire that burnt to death Fritz Bañel. He succumbed from a third degree burn. His body is beyond recognition as when found by fire operatives.
Clarence said the normal procedures in conducting an investigation will even take two to three months for them to come up with a conclusive result on the fire incident.
The cause of the fire remains unclear until now. However, there were speculations that Fritz might have played a match which caught up some beddings in the room or other flammable materials or he might have plugged an appliance inside the room and caused a fire.
The fatality was trapped inside a room in the second floor of their house. The victim's father, Francis tried to rescue his son but failed after Fritz locked the door with a flat piece of wood. Fritz was screaming for help from his parents as fire engulfed the room.
According to the victim's mother, Cristy, the fire emanated from the room were Fritz was trapped. She saw a fire coming from the electric wires. When the fire broke out, she immediately rushed to the second floor of their house to awaken his husband. However, they failed to rescue their son. Fritz is the sixth of the seven Bañel siblings.
The fire also burned down the neighboring houses of Anita Macalalag, Thelma Gandecila, Mario Denaga, Mario Sedel and partially burned the house of Felicidad Vargas. The fire victims sought temporary shelter at the Our Lady of Lourdes chapel.
Firemen found it hard to reach the fire scene because of the narrow passage ways. They have to connect their fire hoses from one fire truck to another just to put off the fire. Large firetruck could not penetrate the area.
As to date, it was learned that the City Social Welfare and Development Office has yet to release any emergency food assistance to the victims. Instead, some of the victim's neighbors and barangay officials have pooled their resources to help the fire victims. Other fire victims also received help from their families.