The Flying V gas station on A. Sandoval Street, Pasig City, shows heavy damage following the blast and fire at the Regasco LPG refilling station last Jan. 11, 2017. The refilling station stood inside the compound of the Omni Gas Corporation. 聽JODEE AGONCILLO / INQUIRER
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and a fire volunteers group will pay tribute to a volunteer who died as a result of a blast and a fire that hit a refilling station in Pasig City on Jan. 11.
On Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 18, the BFP and the Federal Union of Philippine Volunteer Firefighters will offer flowers and perform a water salute for Jeffre Eugenio at the Quiogue Funeral Homes in Pasig City where his funeral is being held.
Eugenio died Monday at the Medical City, six days after he suffered serious burns during the gas explosion and the two-hour blaze at the Regasco LPG refilling station on A. Sandoval Street in Pasig City. He was a worker at the Omni Gas Corporation (OGC), which was adjacent to Regasco.
A member of the San Miguel Fire Volunteers, which earned him the moniker 鈥淪an Mig Charlie,鈥� Eugenio will be recognized for his heroism during the incident at Omni where he also served as officer in charge of the聽LPG-Marketer鈥檚 Association fire volunteer department.
According to his brother JR, Eugenio saved 5 to 8 fellow employees at the height of the blaze at before he was brought to the hospital.
鈥淚 could have saved myself, but I did not. It will be on my conscience, little sister,鈥� Jhen recalled his eldest brother telling her when she asked him why he didn鈥檛 just save himself.
Eugenio spoke from his hospital bed despite burns on his face, hands and legs.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 how kind and selfless my brother was,鈥� she said.
Zaldy Sagung, a fellow fire volunteer, described Eugenio as a silent hero.
鈥淛effrey saved many people during the fire. He knocked on the doors to alert the occupants to flee. He was selfless,鈥� Sagung said.
Liezl, Eugenio鈥檚 wife who arrived from Singapore last Tuesday, attested to his husband鈥檚 kindheartedness and passion for service.
鈥淓ven when we were having our time together, he could not help but attend to other people鈥檚 needs. He was a man for others. I am proud of him,鈥� she said.
Of the 21 casualties, seven are also fire volunteers, the younger Eugenio said.
Pasig City Fire Marshal Supt. Arturo Marcos said the BFP with Regional Director聽Senior Supt. Wilberto Neil Kwan Tiu would attend the wake this afternoon 鈥渢o recognize his heroism and devotion to duty.鈥�
Eugenio鈥檚 cousin, 28-year-old Romeo, also a worker at the gas station, died last Wednesday.
Most of his relatives are also LPG-MA workers who have been with the company for about nine years.
Six other victims of the Regasco fire have died.
The remains of the other victims, including those of Jectopher Caoili, 21, and Camilo Alcaraz Jr., 18, were transported to Isabela province earlier.
An investigation is still ongoing, with the BFP looking into all angles including 鈥渋mproper maintenance,鈥� said Chief Inspector Anthony Arroyo, Pasig fire investigation head.
鈥淲e are still corroborating statements and findings. It鈥檚 hard for us as some of the victims are still in the hospital,鈥� he said.
Marcos said they would check when OGC performed its last preventive maintenance. They will make their recommendations as soon as they finish their investigation.
Ronie Badidles, executive director of the LPG-MA partylist, said they would cover the expenses and extend assistance to the victims of the fire, including benefits for the deceased victims who had worked for a long time for the gas firm.鈥�
鈥淲e will make sure all victims are covered, and then we will answer the BFP,鈥� he said. CBB