A retired police captain died and 17 patients were evacuated when a pre-dawn fire struck the four-story Our Lady of Mercy General Hospital in Barangay Longos, Pulilan, Bulacan, on Monday, Dec. 8.
Authorities identified the fatality as retired Police Captain Marcelino Leonardo, who was confined in the hospital’s intensive care unit. He reportedly succumbed to severe smoke inhalation.
Pulilan Mayor Rolando S. Peralta rushed to the scene to oversee rescue operations, extend support to affected families, and personally condole with Leonardo’s relatives.
According to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the blaze broke out around 1:00 a.m., allegedly originating from the refrigerator area on the hospital’s second floor.
The fire quickly spread, prompting a third alarm response.
Rescue teams, firefighters, and local officials—including Village Councilor Garizaldy Adriano and Watchman Jessie Maraño—struggled to evacuate patients, some of whom were carried out through hospital windows.
The patients were later transported by ambulances to medical facilities in Plaridel and Baliwag City.
For several hours, the North Luzon Expressway near the site was temporarily closed to motorists to facilitate emergency operations.
The fire was declared out at 5:40 a.m., with investigators continuing to determine its exact cause and assess the extent of the damage. (Freddie Velez)
