Firefighter dies as house collapses

MANILA, Philippines — A 25-year-old volunteer firefighter was killed when a house that was razed by a fire in Barangay Batis, San Juan collapsed on Tuesday night.

Fire Supt. Mike Barayuga, city fire marshal, said the group of Chasper Kennet Oliver, a resident of San Juan, were tending to their equipment near the house when it suddenly collapsed just before 8 p.m.

 Oliver died around two hours later as doctors at a nearby hospital tried to revive him.

Barayuga said structural collapse is always a possibility after a fire.

He said volunteer firefighters are important partners of Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) personnel.

“Fire volunteers play a vital role in disasters and emergency responses. They are a big help to the BFP and the government. We should always be careful during disasters and emergencies,” Barayuga said.

Volunteer firefighter Kyle Alfonso said they were “on the other house and the house that collapsed was next to it. It pained us to know that one of our fellow fire volunteers was trapped and died after a structure fell down on him. We have been together as fire volunteer for a long time.”

Paolo Lucero, the victim’s uncle, said they would miss Oliver’s companionship.

“He was raised by my sister. He grew up with us. He slept in our house and was always with us whenever we went on a stroll. It really saddened us, his untimely death,” Lucero said.

The BFP said it would give assistance to Oliver’s family.

About 80 families composed of 318 individuals lost their homes in the three-alarm fire, which started at 5:29 p.m. and destroyed P1.5 million worth of properties.

 The San Juan social welfare office has provided 75 tents for fire victims who were given shelter at the city’s evacuation center.