Two families were met with tragedy early this morning when their home in Pasay City caught fire, killing nine of them.
The incident happened in Almazor St., Maricaban, Pasay City, at the home of the Calma and Guablas families, Pasay City Arson Investigation and Intelligence Unit chief Glen Celestial told Coconuts Manila in a phone interview.
The nine casualties included Michael Calma, 44 years old, and his three sons John Clark Calma, 17 years old; Mark Joseph Calma, 23 years old; and Andrew James Calma, 11 years old. Michael’s wife Jasmine Guablas Calma, 42 years old, survived the fire and is now in the custody of barangay (village) officials.
Also killed in the fire were members of the Guablas family, who stay in the two-story home’s ground floor. This includes Jasmine’s brother Julius Gublas, 39 years; Rheadela Guablas, 40 years old; Jhulea Guablas, 16 years old; Nichol Guablas, 9 years old; and Jurit Andrea Guablas, 3 years old.
The fire started on the ground floor, near the entrance, which is why members of the Guablas were unable to leave the house, Celestial said. He also said that they may have been sleeping since the fire department was notified about the fire at around 2:10am today.
Michael and Jasmine of the Calma family were staying in the house’s second floor when the fire started. Michael told his wife Jasmine to jump out from the window, which is why she survived. Michael, on the other hand, tried to save their children but was unable to.
Celestial said that the fire came from inside the house but they are still investigating how it started. The Calma-Guablas house was the only one affected by the fire, he said.
The fire was declared under control at 3:07am and was officially out at 3:14am.
