A Longtime Resident Dies in San Pedro Fire

A deadly fire broke out Friday night in San Pedro Town, claiming the life of a longtime island resident. The blaze consumed a small bodega on Sunflower Street, part of a property owned by Mercie Trejo, who was off the island at the time. Inside, firefighters discovered the charred remains of fifty-year-old Dary Blades, a well-known landscape worker in the community. Neighbors say they did not hear any screams during the fire, leaving many questions unanswered. Authorities are investigating both the cause of the fire and the circumstances surrounding Blades’ death. Tanya Arceo has the details.

 

Tanya Arceo, Reporting

The San Pablo Area in San Pedro became the scene of the tragic fire that took the life of Dary Blade. This small wooden and zinc bodega was destroyed late Friday evening, despite the efforts of neighbors and firefighters to contain the blaze. Blades, a familiar face on the island, was found inside, and the community is still trying to come to terms with his sudden loss. What makes this tragedy even more puzzling is that neighbors heard no cries for help during the fire. We spoke with Marcus Alamina, uncle of the owner of the property.

 

Marcus Alamina, Uncle of Property Owner

“I was at home after a days of work and I got a call from my nephew and I ran over quickly I only live a few minutes away, the house belongs to one of my nieces, I came here attempting to get to the fire I was behind her house with the neighbors at the back and they had a gentleman with a house and bucket and I grabbed hold of the hose and I got there and minutes into that the first fire hose came from in front of her yard and started to extinguish the flames and then five minutes later traffic department is clearing the roads and there was a second truck that came and it was quickly extinguished”

 

The uncle of the property owner told News Five that the owners of the property were not in the island and the cause of the fire is still unknown and under investigation.

 

Marcus Alamina

“So the owners were not in the country at the time so the caretaker was inside making sure that the dogs were also secured and with the fire chief we went to the back and decided to do the investigation with the police of what had started the fire I called Mr. Dar when I heard of the fire no answer to his phone and I thought he is probably not at home we had no idea that he was inside the fire chief discovered him with the police, for his life skills and knowing who he was I thought he escaped or he is just not at home there is no way I thought he would have been trapped inside. What start the fire? I don’t know and I believe he was trying to escape for the person that he is and heartfelt condolences to his family the brother to the wife to the kids he was a great friend he was a landscaper for all of us on the island all the family members close guy we saw him the day of four hours before from a hard days work he was sun burnt going home and he told me “Mark I’m tired I’m going to rest” and he had groceries to go home to rest I saw him the day of just a few hours ago and condolences to his family”

 

Hilberto Romero says the cause of the blaze remains under investigation. He confirmed the man found inside the bodega has not been formally identified, though authorities do know his name.

 

ACP Hilberto Romero, Head of Crime Investigation Branch

“ On Friday the eight of August 2025 police responded to a fire in San Pedro upon the arrival they found a small building completely engulfed in flames, fire personnel came to the area, extinguished the flames there after a search was conducted where the charred remains of a person was found inside the building the remains were taken to the hospital where they are presently awaiting a post mortem for examination the cause of the fire is under investigation at this time.”

 

Authorities say a formal autopsy and further inquiry will hopefully shed light on the events that led to this devastating fire. Reporting from San Pedro, I’m Tanya Arceo for News Five.