Couple, 2 grandchildren killed in Camarines Sur fire

An elderly couple and their two grandchildren were killed in a fire that hit their family-owned hardware store in Sipocot, Camarines Sur, on Tuesday morning, Radyo Inquirer 990AM reported.

The victims—identified as Antonio and Alice Lipiao, both 70, and grandchildren Shubie Lipiao-Espiritu, 14, and Alexie Lipiao-Espiritu, 12—were burned alive after they got trapped inside the shop.

Municipal Fire Marshall Insp. Ramon Gregorio told Radyo Inquirer that the incident was reported at 4:44 a.m. and reached second alarm.

Gregorio said the family was probably sleeping inside the establishment.

“So, nung magkaroon po kasi ng sunog, ito pong establisyimentong ito, naka-double padlock po ito. ‘Yung entrance floor nila at saka po ‘yung fire exit. Naka-padlock po ‘yan. Naka-double padlock,” he explained.

(When the fire hit the establishment, the entrance and the fire exit were double padlocked.)

The remains of the grandparents were found lying near the back exit of the store while the bodies of their grandchildren were found inside the comfort room.

Gregorio explained that the stock of paint, which is highly flammable, inside the store contributed to the intensity of the fire and led to a minor explosion.

The fire was declared under control at 6:30 a.m.

The cause of fire and total cost of damage are still under investigation. KC Tayam, INQUIRER.net trainee/KS