BACOLOD City – An elderly couple died after a fire broke out in their home at City Heights Subdivision, Barangay Taculing here yesterday, June 30.
The victims were identified by the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) as Edison Hibionada, 80, and his wife Emelyn Hibionada, 81.
According to Fire Superintendent Jenny Mae Masip, City Fire Marshal, the fire occurred at around 4:14 a.m. and was declared under control at 4:42 a.m.
The couple, who had six children — three living abroad and the others residing separately — were alone in the house at the time of the incident.
Masip said the couple only had a daytime companion who left every 8 p.m., leaving the two to fend for themselves at night.
Initial investigation revealed that the couple slept in separate areas due to Edison being bedridden. He stayed in the living room on the ground floor, while Emelyn usually slept upstairs.
However, Emelyn’s body was later discovered in the dining area on the ground floor, leading authorities to believe that she may have attempted to escape but was unable to because the windows were secured with metal grills.
The fire engulfed their two-story residence, causing an estimated P3 million in damages.
The cause of the fire remained under investigation as of this writing./PN
