Ex-Cebu judge, wife dead in fire

MANILA, Philippines — A former judge and his wife died in a fire that hit a residential area in Barangay Centro, Mandaue City, Cebu yesterday.

Gerardo Gestopa Jr., 66, and his wife Louella, 67, were reportedly trapped in their house when they tried to rescue their grandson Gerick, 20, said to be a ”special child,” Senior Fire Officer 3 Antonio Montajes said.

Gerick has yet to be found.

Initial investigation showed the fire started in a room occupied by a certain Gomapas family at around 2 a.m. 

In Benguet, five hectares of forest have been destroyed in an ongoing fire in Kabayan yesterday.

SFO4 Hilario Caniero said the fire, which started in Sitio Bulok, Barangay Adaoay on Tuesday last week, has reached Barangay Anchokey near Mt. Pulag.

The cause of the fire and the cost of damage has yet to be determined.