4 kids, 2 women killed in San Fernando fire

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union– Two children and two women were killed after they were trapped inside a two-story house that was burned Monday in a four-hour fire in Barangay Catbangen here while two other children died after they were accidentally hit by a responding firetruck.

Mayor Pablo Ortega identified the fire victims as Janet Chan, 35; Daryl Justin Apolonio, 12; Rafael Chan, seven; and a certain Rosanna, while those killed in the accident were Charles Boado, 12; and Steve Kyle Cariño, seven.

Ortega said one of the firetrucks lost its break while rushing to the area and hit another firetruck.

The truck’s hose struck the two children who were rushed to the hospital but declared dead.

San Fernando fire chief, Senior Insp. Lani Carbonell said the fire victims panicked that’s why they were not able to get out of the burning house that lacked fire exit.

Cause of the fire is still being determined such as the possibility of faulty electrical wiring and appliance over heat.

Two firetruck drivers, Amor Baobaoen and Edgar Nueva, were also injured in the incident. – JE