Hero of the Cavite EPZA Fire Who Helped His Co-Workers to Safety Passed Away

The man who helped many workers escaped the huge fire at the Cavite Economic Zone last week has passed away from the injuries he got from being a hero, making him the first victim to die from the tragedy.

Jerome Sismaet, the line leader at the Housing Technology Industries (HTI) died last Saturday, 11 PM at Divine Grace Hospital from suffering severe burn injuries which he sustained from saving many workers from the fire. He was confined for days before he succumbed to death.

The news of Sismaet's death was confirmed by Governor Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla and Senior Superintendent Arthur Velasco Bisnar, director of the Cavite Police Provincial Office (CPPO). 

“At 11:28 last night, Saturday, February 4, Jerome Sismaet of HTI died after suffering severe burn injuries from the fire that broke out Wednesday, February 1 at 6 p.m. Let us all pray for the repose of his soul and for his loved ones,” the statement from Remulla read.

Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) director general Charito Plaza said that Sismaet is a hero for helping many of his subordinates. He prioritized helping his workers flee from the raging fire before saving himself.

This heroic act lead him to sustain severe burn injuries that lead to his untimely death.

“He is a hero, being one of the line leaders na tinulungan munang maka-evacuate ang mga kasama niya bago siya lumabas,” Plaza said in an interview with ABS-CBN.

[He is a hero, being one of the line leaders who helped his fellow workers evacuate the place before escaping himself.]

On the other hand, Remulla confirmed to the press that the 3, 189 employees were expected to login to their work before the fire started are now being questioned as all of them are held accountable.

The Cavite governor said that he is still not discounting the possibility that there are still some dead bodies that could be recovered from the burnt factory since some people reported that there were non-HTI employees who tried to rescue some of their friends and co-workers.

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However, the Cavite governor did not discount the possibility that some dead bodies could be recovered from the burnt factory since there are reports that non-HTI employees went to the rescue of some of their friends.

Source: TNP , kickerdaily , ABS-CBN