San Carlos City; Fireman dies while battling fire

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Fire Officer 3 Ricardo Catalan died with his boots on.

Catalan, a member of the Bureau of Fire and Protection, was electrocuted when he and his colleagues were putting out a fire on February 13 that destroyed 13 houses in Villarante Subdivision at Barangay 1 Poblacion, San Carlos City, Negros Occidental.

Fire Superintendent Fred Trajeras, BFP-Negros Island Region’s officer-in-charge, said Catalan, who was wearing a protective suit, may have been hit or accidentally touched a live wire while performing his duties as a firefighter.

Trajeras said Catalan died almost an hour after doctors and nurses of the San Carlos District Hospital tried to revive him.

BFP initial investigations showed that Catalan and San Carlos Fire Marshall, SFO1 Marilou de la Cruz, were “conducting an inspection at a commercial establishment, when they received a fire call.''

The two got into a fire truck that quickly proceeded to the fire scene and immediately hosed the fire, which by the time already gutted several houses. Catalan however got electrocuted while performing his task.

BFP investigations further showed that it took five to 10 minutes for the power to shut off, as nobody dared to rescue Catalan for fear that they might also get electrocuted.

Fire trucks from Toboso and Vallehermoso towns, and from as far as Bacolod City,  joined the San Carlos BFP firemen in putting out the fire, that started at 10:29 a.m. Monday. A fire out was then declared at 11:15 a.m., or about 45 minutes after.

Ironically, the fire incident took place on February 13 with 13 houses razed by fire, and estimated damage was placed at P113,000. (FREEMAN)