In the quiet hours of dawn, a peaceful neighborhood in Barangay Bulihan, Malolos, was rocked by a devastating fire that claimed the lives of four family members. The cause? A simple habit many of us are guilty of — charging a cellphone overnight.

 A Deadly Mistake We All Make

At approximately 4:00 AM, flames engulfed a home in Alido Heights, Barangay Bulihan. Within minutes, the fire turned deadly. According to the Malolos Fire Station’s chief investigator, the blaze was sparked by a cellphone left charging while the family slept. The fire quickly spread and consumed the house in under 30 minutes.

Tragically, Philip Caluag, 49, his wife Maricel, 48, and their daughters Felice, 18, and Julienne, 10, were found lifeless after the fire was extinguished. One child, 15-year-old Seth, managed to escape but suffered injuries and is currently receiving treatment.

 A Family Lost While They Slept

Neighbors reported being awakened by the sound of shattering glass and crackling flames. They attempted to help but the blaze had already grown uncontrollable.

“They were sleeping. They didn’t even have a chance to run. It all happened so fast,” one tearful neighbor shared.

By 4:18 AM, firefighters had finally subdued the fire — but by then, it was too late. The lifeless bodies of the parents and two children were discovered inside the charred remains of their home.

 The Investigation: All Eyes on a Charging Phone

Authorities confirmed that the fire originated in the master bedroom where a mobile phone was left charging overnight. Investigators believe the charger overheated, igniting nearby flammable materials — a tragic yet preventable mistake.

This isn’t the first time such an incident has occurred. Fire departments across the country have long warned about the dangers of cheap, faulty chargers and overheating devices, particularly when left unattended for hours.

 Why You Should Never Charge Phones While You Sleep

We’ve all done it — plugging in our phones before bed so we wake up to 100% battery. But experts stress that this convenience comes at a serious risk. Here’s why:

Overheating risk: Charging devices can overheat, especially under pillows or bedsheets.

Faulty cables: Low-quality or fake chargers are prone to short circuits.

Battery swelling or explosion: Older or damaged batteries may overheat and catch fire.

No immediate reaction: While we sleep, we’re unable to react quickly to danger.

 Community in Mourning

The tragic death of the Caluag family has left the Malolos community in grief and disbelief. Vigils have been held outside their home, and netizens across the country have flooded social media with messages of sympathy and heartbreak.

“What a beautiful family… taken too soon. May their story serve as a reminder for all of us,” one Facebook post read, shared over 10,000 times.

 A Wake-Up Call for Every Household

This heartbreaking event should be a turning point for many households. Charging phones overnight may seem harmless — until it’s not. Authorities now urge the public to adopt fire-safe practices at home:

Use only original or certified chargers.

Never place charging phones under pillows or soft materials.

Avoid charging unattended, especially during sleep.

Install smoke detectors in bedrooms and living areas.

Unplug devices when not in use.

 Final Thoughts: A Life Cut Short, a Lesson to Remember

Four lives were lost not to violence or crime, but to a habit we consider normal. Let their memory serve as a powerful reminder that safety should never be taken for granted — not even in the comfort of our own homes.

Don’t let another family suffer the same fate. Check your chargers. Unplug at night. Protect what matters most.