Five dead, including infant, in Caloocan apartment fire

FIVE people, including an 11‑month‑old baby and its mother, were killed early Sunday morning after being trapped inside a burning two‑storey apartment in Caloocan City.

According to initial reports from Bureau of Fire Protection investigator FO1 Samuel Rentillo Jr., the blaze broke out around 1:02 a.m. at a residential compound on Sinilyasi Street, Barangay Dagat‑Dagatan. The fire started in a vehicle repair shop located on the ground floor of the building owned by Marina Escondo, and the cause remains undetermined.

Firefighters and volunteer teams responded immediately and managed to contain the fire by 1:24 a.m., raising it only to the first alarm before fully extinguishing the flames by 2:04 a.m.

During clearing operations, rescuers recovered the bodies of three women and two men. The infant was among those found, having been with its mother when the fire broke out. The baby’s father had just arrived home from work and tried desperately to rescue his wife and child, but was blocked by intense flames and thick smoke. In another heartbreaking account, the husband of one of the victims told investigators that he was holding his wife’s hand as they tried to escape, but she was torn away from him amid the chaos.

Damage to property is estimated at ₱500,000. Six families were displaced by the fire and are temporarily sheltered at the Barangay 8 hall. Caloocan City Mayor Dale Gonzalo “Along” Malapitan has already extended assistance to the affected families, providing hot meals and basic necessities as they recover from the tragedy. Authorities continue to investigate the exact cause of the fire.