6 dead in predawn fire in Quezon City

Tragedy struck in Quezon City early Monday as a family of four and two of their helpers were killed in a predawn fire that razed their townhouse. Radio dzBB’s Manny Vargas reported the fire started at the duplex of Dr. Susan Cedilla at 36-A Marunong St., Brgy. Central, Quezon City. "Anim ang kumpirmadong patay, natagpuan sa second floor. Nakayakap sila doon sa isang kwarto (Six are confirmed dead in the fire. We saw their bodies on the second floor. They were embracing each other)," Quezon City deputy fire marshal Superintendent Romell Rillo said. Firefighters could not initially identify the bodies, but a separate report by dzBB’s Allan Gatus said relatives identified them as house owners Dr. Elson Cedilla, Dr. Susan Cedilla; daughters Patricia (first year college) and Jenina (graduating college); and helpers Ana and Len de Leon. Arson investigators were still determining the cause of the fire as of 7 a.m.

In a separate interview on dzXL radio, Rillo said the victims likely suffocated from the smoke, adding the window grills may have prevented them from getting out of the house. "Nahirapan dahil may sasakyan sa baba at hirap sila huminga," he said. The fire started at 2:55 a.m. and reached the third alarm before firefighters placed it under control at 3:26 a.m. and put it out at 4:05 a.m. Also destroyed in the fire were a van and an Asian utility vehicle (AUV) inside the compound. Rillo cited initial information that Dr. Susan Cedilla, who works at the St. Luke’s Medical Center, owned the house. For their part, neighbors said they heard the two helpers, who they identified as Lyn and Ana, calling for help shortly before the fire consumed the house. — RSJ, GMA News