CEBU CITY — Two children were burned beyond recognition after an early morning fire razed down 90 houses in Barangay Ermita here Monday.
Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CCDRMO) head Nagiel Bañacia, in an interview with reporters, identified the dead children as 9-year-old Jovielyn Digman and her 2-year-old brother John Mark.
According to Bañacia, the kids were trapped as the parents couldn’t get them out because the fire burned the entrance of their house first.
The children’s parents, Joel and Jennelyn Digman, also suffered second degree burns in their futile attempt to rescue Jovielyn and John Mark.
At least eight other people were also injured in the fire that affected 80 families and more than 400 individuals.
They were Ida Alolod, Jovin Alolod, Edwina Alolod, Sandra Echavez, Inday Echavez, Tirso Gucela, Rachel Napare, and Jennelyn Wagas.
The Alolods and Echavezes suffered second-degree burns, while Gucela and Napare sustained first-degree burns and Wagas got her left hand lacerated.
Cebu City Fire Marshall Noel Nelson Ababon said the fire started around 5:45 a.m. when a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tank exploded at the house of Ida Alolod.
Some 40 minutes later, the fire alarm was raised to Task Force Bravo which called for the fire stations from the neighboring cities and municipalities to respond.
Ababon said the fire was declared under control some two hours later and the damage was estimated at PHP 1.5 million.
At least 90 houses were destroyed in the fire, including the two-storey house of Ermita barangay chairman Mark Miral.
Miral said they only managed to save a few of their belongings as he and his family were busy helping their neighbors put off the fire and bring the victims to safety.
Meanwhile, Mayor Tomas Osmeña said the Cebu City government will extend financial assistance to the fire victims and a re-blocking will also be done in the area. ( Luel Galarpe/PNA)
