16-year-old boy killed in fire

CEBU, Philippines - A 16-year-old boy died after he was allegedly trapped inside his relative's house during a fire early dawn yesterday at Janssen Site, Barangay Basak-San Nicolas, Cebu City.

The victim was identified as Jomari Bihagan, who was staying with his uncle and aunt after losing both parents.

Senior Fire Officer 1 Marissa Cariño of the Bureau of Fire Protection said they received the fire alarm at 12:15 a.m. and controlled it by 12:30 a.m.

At around 12:40 a.m., Bihagan's body was found.

Cariño said three houses were eaten by the fire, including that of Bihagan's relatives.

It was believed that an unattended candle triggered the fire, which left a damage of about P80,000.

The BFP declared a fire out at 1:45 a.m.

The victim's aunt Brenda Cacho positively identified the body as that of her nephew.

Cacho said her sister-in-law Racquel Bihagan woke her up and informed her that there was smoke coming from the second floor of the house where the victim was sleeping.

Before this, Racquel said she heard the victim shouting as if he was going wild and later heard a thud. She repeatedly knocked on the door to the victim's room but the latter did not answer until she saw smoke emitting from the room.

Racquel believes that her nephew was feeling so down since his father died and then buried last Sunday. The victim's mother had also died some two years ago.

Racquel is not convinced that an unattended candle caused the fire.

According to her, they actually lit candles for their novena for the teen's father but it was on the ground floor, while the fire started on the second floor.

Barangay Captain Norman Navarro said they have provided assistance to the fire victims and have promised to attend to their further needs.

He said he will install tents in the area since the victims want to stay there rather than at the sports complex.

Meanwhile, another fire broke out at Victor Village 1 in Barangay Punta Princesa at 3 a.m. yesterday.

The fire, which was controlled some 20 minutes later, started at the house of Frederico Ruela.

An unattended charger was believed to have triggered the fire.

The damaged was pegged at P30,000.

One of the members of the family of Ruela was brought to the hospital after having difficulty in breathing. — (FREEMAN)