REDWOOD CITY — Authorities have released the identities of the two people who were killed in an early-morning fire last week at a liquor store.
The San Mateo County Coroner’s Office identified the two victims as Benigno Nuguid Pare, 56, and Anil Kumar Sharma, 25, according to a press release from the Redwood City Police Department. Authorities do not yet know why the two individuals were in the building at the time of the blaze.
“Our thoughts remain with the community, families and loved ones affected by this tragedy,” authorities said in the press release.
The fire broke out at Avenue Liquor Store on Roosevelt Avenue in the early morning hours of Nov. 3, authorities said. When firefighters arrived at the scene around 5:30 a.m., they found the store completely engulfed in flames and began attempts to contain the blaze.
Firefighters located the two victims inside the structure and confirmed that they were deceased, authorities said.
Pare was an employee of the store, according to a GoFundMe page set up to raise money for his wife and four children. The funds will be used for funeral expenses and to transport Pare’s remains to the Philippines, as well as to financially support his family.
“His passing has left an unfillable void in the hearts of everyone who knew him — his colleagues, friends, and especially his wife and four children, including two daughters and two sons,” said Bali S., the fundraiser’s organizer who worked alongside Pare. “Benny was one of the most hardworking, humble, and generous people I’ve ever met. He was the kind of person who always showed up with a smile, helped without hesitation, and gave his all — both at work and for his family.”
“Benny gave so much of himself to everyone around him. Now, it’s our turn to give back — to stand by the family he cherished so deeply during this devastating time,” Bali added.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the cause of the fire and the events that led to the incident. It is jointly under investigation by RCPD, the Redwood City Fire Department and the coroner’s office.
Anyone with further information regarding this incident is asked to contact RCPD at 650-780-7100.
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