The victim was identified as 21-year-old Jonard Requilme, a resident of the sitio.
According to SFO3 Guiller Pegarido, deputy fire marshal of the Talisay City Fire Station, Requilme was pulling a hose when he inadvertently grabbed a live wire. The victim was thrown a few meters and died instantly.
After receiving the alarm at 12:18 p.m., Pegarido said they immediately raised the situation to first alarm at 12:22 p.m. and to second alarm four minutes later. Since the fire continued to grow, the situation was raised to third alarm at 12:32 p.m.
Pegarido said his men had a hard time penetrating the area because aside from the path being very narrow a crowd had gathered to watch the blaze and was blocking their way.
He said the fire destroyed 20 houses and placed damage estimates at around P1.5 million.
He said they are still trying to determine where the fire started and what caused it.
Pegarido said the fire was finally placed under control at 1:21 p.m. and fire out was declared seven minutes later.
Pegarido said the entire Talisay City Fire Station was deeply saddened by what happened to Requilme.
However, he reminded the public of the importance of letting firefighters handle fire situations to prevent a similar incident from happening.
Not only do they endanger themselves, he said, but they also hamper firefighters’ efforts since they lack training.
Meanwhile, Bulacao Barangay Captain Banjo Abastillas told Superbalita Cebu said they are still finalizing the list of families affected by the fire.
He said employees of the Talisay City Social Welfare Services attended to the survivors’ immediate needs like food.
He said the barangay and the City Government will give financial assistance to them.
Abastillas said the barangay also plans to give P3,000 as financial assistance to the family of Requilme.
He said he doesn’t know how much or if the City Government will give cash to Requilme’s family. (BBT / PJB)