By CESAR JOLITO III

Two people died in a fire that gutted three houses in a subdivision at Barangay 6 in Negros Occidental’s Victorias City yesterday morning, October 6.

Authorities identified one of the fatalities as 58-year-old Angela Pineda, who reportedly suffered a fatal heart attack while attempting to escape the fire.

Although her home was not consumed by the blaze, witnesses said Pineda panicked, ran outside, slipped, and collapsed.

Another victim, Joy Soberano, perished after being trapped inside the bathroom of a rented house that was engulfed in flames.

According to the Bureau of Fire Protection in Victorias, the fire along Tirad Pass Street reached the first alarm level before it was brought under control.

Initial investigation showed that the fire started at the residence of John Paul Suspiger, though the exact cause remains under investigation.

Firefighters have yet to determine the total damage to property./CJ, WDJ