ILOILO – A two-storey house went up in flames at San Vicente Village, Barangay Poblacion, Leganes town before dawn yesterday. A son tried to save his mother from the blaze but both died.
Authorities identified the fatalities as Ana Vivien Ganon, 49, and her 21-year-old son Anthony Quin.
The 16-year-old Andrew Vince, youngest son of Vivien, sustained minor injuries. He was recuperating at the Metro Iloilo Hospital and Medical Center in Jaro, Iloilo City.
The fire broke out at around 12:45 a.m. while the Ganons were sleeping on the second floor of their house, initial investigation of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Region 6 showed.
The fire may have originated from the family’s dining area near the kitchen, but the cause of the blaze was still unclear, according to BFP-6 director Senior Superintendent Jerry Candido.
“The fire quickly scattered all over the house because some portions were made of wood. We have yet to determine the total damage incurred as well,” Candido told Panay News.
He added that the house of Vivien’s brother was also totally gutted as both houses were within the same compound. Vivien’s car was burned.
However, Vivien’s brother and his wife were quick to vacate the scene. They were also able to bring their multicab outside.
According to Rose Ann Bayas, Ganon’s neighbor, they saw a thick smoke forming from the dining area of the house.
She said they tried to help put out the fire but it quickly crawled on to both houses.
Anthony Quin was already outside their house with his brother “pero nagbalik pa gid sia kay luwason nya iya mama,” Bayas shared to Panay News.
She went on: “Nabatian namon nga naga singgit sia (Anthony) tabang pero wala kami mahimo kay kadaku na gid sang kalayo. Dugay-dugay nag-untat ang iya singgit kag sang ulihi amon na lang nakita nasunog na sila.”
“They were good neighbors. Mabu-ot sila nga mga pamilya pero wala man kami mahimo,” she added.
Bayas said her house also incurred partial damage, particularly the dining area.
Meanwhile, Andrew Vince took to social media to express his grief over the death of his loved ones.
He wrote: “Yugs manong ‘bi ko dungan pa ‘ta graduate sa June? Ma-bike pa ‘ta gani pa-Dumangas pay. Ma! Last hug mo na ‘to gali sang birthday ko tani waay na lang ko nag-buya buya pa. I love you both so much mama and manong. Thank you for always being there for me.”/PN
