One more dies in Pasig fire; probe forwarded to BFP national HQ

By: Jodee Agoncillo, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Jan. 20, 2017

Eight days after a two-hour fire hit an LPG refilling station in Pasig City, one more gas employee died on Thursday, adding to the other eight who earlier died in different hospitals.

Chief Insp. Anthony Arroyo, chief of the Bureau of Fire and Protection (BFP)-Pasig’s investigation unit, identified the latest victim as Jason Dagaw, 25, also an employee of Omni Gas Corporation (OGC), who died on Thursday afternoon at the Medical City.

Pasig City Fire Marshal Supt. Arturo Marcos said the investigation of the case will be turned over to the BFP main headquarters considering the big number of deaths caused by the fire.

In a text message, Marcos noted that the Regasco fire incident is “not an ordinary case of fire because of the massive explosion.”

Last Jan 11, the fire which was allegedly caused by a gas leak, broke out at the Regasco refilling station on Sandoval Avenue. Two more establishments were affected by the blast fire, including the Flying V gasoline station and the bunkhouse for employees of OGC employees, critically injuring 21 people.

Regasco and Omni gas are both owned by the LPG Marketer’s Association and the family of Arnel Ty, according to its executive director Engineer Ronie Badidles. Badidles said the LPGMA will shoulder the funeral and hospitalization expenses of their employees and are working out on providing benefits of the victims.

Those who were hurt suffered 80 to 98 percent partial thickness burns, according to the BFP.

Among those who died were fire volunteers and OGC employees Jeffre Eugenio who died last Monday at the Medical City; Joel Eda, 28, who died at 7 a.m. last Tuesday at Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center; Alejandro Conrad, 42, around 5 p.m. last Monday at East Avenue Medical Center; and William Khay, 39, who died last Wednesday at Philippine General Hospital.

The other fatalities were OGC workers Romeo Eugenio, 35; Camilo Alcaraz Jr., 18; and Jectopher Caoili, 21. They all passed away at the Quirino Memorial Medical Center.

Arroyo said the BFP is looking into all angles, including “improper maintenance.” RAM/rga

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