Clerk gives his life to save 83 people from the burning NCCC Mall

Two days before the Yuletide season, the New City Commercial Center Mall in Davao (NCCC) went down in flames. Celebrating Christmas has become difficult for the families who lost their loved ones in the tragedy. This includes the bereft family of Melvin Gaa, a clerk who gave his life rescuing 83 SSI call center employees located at the fourth floor of the flaming building.

Melvin’s body was recognized by his wife herself, Rucila, among the 38 dead recovered by the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFI).

Bombo Radyo Davao picked up the news from Thea Padua, the spokesperson of the mall’s management. She reported the heroic story of Melvin Gaa on Facebook. She wrote,

“This is Melvin Hayana Ga-a. He is an Inventory Clerk assigned at NCCC Department Store Maa branch. He was hired September 7, 2007 and regularized February 21, 2008 with ID number 3092. He is husband to Rucila Cerdon Gaa and father to Rommel Jhon Ga-a.”

She mentioned the Melvin went down to the ground floor after having a chat with his supervisors. She said,

“Last December 23, he was on-duty at the NCCC Department Store Maa. Melvin was part of the clearing team of the store that morning. At around 9:30 a.m., he was already done with the clearing of department store with DS Supervisor and key custodian Floriza Mibulos (Badjeck to many). Thereafter, he was having a chat with supervisor Marivic Infuesto, Jocyl Porras and Marivic Magallon.

At around 9:40 a.m., Melvin said to the three he was chatting with, that he will just go down to change because he got himself wet from the rain while on his way to the Mall. So he went down to the ground floor where the associates’ lockers were located.”

The fire transpired while he was still on the ground floor, where it would be easy for him to evacuate from the fire. Yet the hero went back upstairs to save his comrades. Padua penned,

“And then it all happened. The fire that made Melvin gave his life to bring people to safety. He was already on the ground floor and evacuation was already so easy for him. Even the guard on-duty attested that he was already out. But he came back. He climbed up and rescued people. And attempted to even rescue some more. To his last breath, he was a Safety Officer, a NEAT responder, an NCCC associate true to the company’s core value of care and hardwork.”

The management extended their deepest sympathies to the family of Melvin, who Padua saluted for his amazing service he offered until his last breath. She wrote,

“We grieve with the family of Melvin. We grieve with his wife Rucila, with his son Rommel Jhon, his father Romeo, his mother Rosie and siblings Mevell, Arnel and Raymond.

We are so saddened with your leaving us so soon Melvin but you left us a beautiful story that we shall always be proud of. We always talk in the company of giving amazing service but yours was not just amazing, it was beyond measure. The company did not require you to do service this far but you did because you had the heart to help and serve. Only a few is as brave as you were.

We give our grandest salute to you, our hero – Melvin Hayana Ga-a! With a heavy heart we say our farewell to you. Thank you for your most amazing service.”

As of this writing, the post has garnered more than 8,500 reactions and more than 1,700 shares. Melvin Gaa’s courageous feat continues to spread throughout the social media. He may have passed away, but his bravery will not be forgotten.

What are your thoughts on Melvin Gaa’s heroic act? Share your thoughts, as well as condolences to his grieving family in the comments section below.