Elderly Couple Dies in Bacolod House Fire

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY – An elderly couple died in a fire that engulfed their two-story home in Barangay Taculing early Monday morning.

The Bureau of Fire Protection-Bacolod identified the victims as Edison, 80, and his wife, Emelyn, 81.

City fire marshal Fire Supt. Jenny Mae Masip said the blaze started in the garage at around 4:14 a.m.

Neighbors reported seeing smoke coming from the garage at around 4 a.m., based on dash camera footage from a parked vehicle.

The fire spread quickly as the house’s second floor was made of wood.

Masip said the husband, who was bedridden, was in the living room, while the wife was upstairs.

She said the wife may have awakened and tried to escape but was unable to get out because the house was secured with metal grills.

Masip said Emelyn’s body was later found near the kitchen.

She confirmed the couple was alone at the time of the fire, as their helper only visited during the day.

The blaze caused an estimated PHP3 million in damage.

Fire out was declared at 4:18 a.m.

Arson investigators are still determining the cause of the fire.