Three people and two pets died after a structure fire that occurred in the early hours of December 24 in Neiva.
Consternation was experienced in Neiva during the early hours of December 24after a structural fire claimed the lives of three people and a dog, in events that occurred around 4:30 in the morning, when much of the city was resting on the eve of the Christmas celebration.
The emergency occurred in a housing located in a central sector of the capital of Huilagenerating alarm among the neighbors, who woke up amidst the smoke, flames and the sound of sirens.
According to the preliminary report of the Neiva Official Fire Departmentthe fire was attended to minutes after receiving the alert call.
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“Two fire extinguishing machines and emergency units moved to the scene, where they found the structure engulfed in fire, which made the initial control work difficult,” the officer said. Lieutenant Helmer Pérezof the Official Fire Department of Neiva.
Despite the quick reaction of the relief agencies, the flames had already compromised a large part of the house, preventing the timely evacuation of those who were inside.
“During the extinguishing and cooling efforts, the firefighters found the lifeless bodies of three peopleamong which are two elderly adults, and two dogs that did not manage to survive the emergency. They died, apparently, from asphyxiation.“added the lieutenant.
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A loss that increased the pain of the scene and the sadness among family and neighbors. The magnitude of the fire forced the temporary closure of the road and preventive evacuation of some nearby homes, due to the risk of spread and the dense column of smoke that spread through the sector.
“We were sleeping at four in the morning and we woke up to screams; we went out to the door and everything was on fire. The neighbors across the street came out; I picked up my child and threw him off the balcony, as well as my wife.; As best I could, I also threw it off the balcony to save them. “We were left with nothing,” said one of the survivors.
The authorities confirmed that, once the situation was controlled, the corresponding protocols were activated for the removal of the bodies and the beginning of the investigations that allow establish the exact causes of the fire.
Although no hypothesis is ruled out, we analyze possible electrical failures, the use of candles, handmade connections or flammable elementsespecially taking into account that the emergency occurred on a date when the risks associated with Christmas celebrations and decorations usually increase.
