2 siblings die in Tondo fire

MANILA, Philippines — Two siblings died when a fire razed their house in Tondo, Manila at dawn yesterday.

Arson probers identified the fatalities as Ckrezhan Francine Jagunos, 15, and her brother Lance, 12.

The fire broke out at the victims’ house at the corner of Soriano and Sandico streets in Barangay 35 at around 3:30 a.m.

Lt. Jose Troy Juaneza of the Tondo fire station said they recovered the charred bodies of the victims after conducting mopping up operations at past 4:30 a.m.

“We found the siblings clasped in an embrace under the stairs,” probers said.

The fire, which reached second alarm, left 12 families homeless.

Damage to property was estimated at P200,000.

Initial investigation showed that the siblings’ mother, Gemma, 36, was cooking breakfast when she decided to go to the market.

Juaneza said Gemma could have left the stove on for hours.

She fainted after learning that her children died in the fire.

Fires hit QC, Pasig

Fires broke out in residential areas in Barangays Baesa, Bahay Toro and Sto. Cristo in Quezon City yesterday afternoon.

Capt. Rohaina Asalan, spokesperson for the Quezon City police, said a man was treated by rescuers for first degree burns.

Firefighters have yet to contain the fires as of press time.

In Pasig City,  at least P2 million worth of property went up in smoke when a fire hit a two-story commercial building.

City fire marshal Maj. Leo Andiso said nobody was reported hurt in the blaze that started on the ground floor of a furniture shop along Villa Raymundo in Barangay Palatiw.

Rayna Insante and two other families who occupied the second floor of the building were displaced by the fire. 

Arson investigators have yet to determine the cause of the fire.    – With Emmanuel Tupas, Non Alquitran