CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines — Five members of a family died in a fire that gutted their two-story house along Osmeña street in this city on Wednesday.
The owner of the house, Jenafer Cagampang, identified the fatalities as her daughter Charice, 25; son-in-law Melvin Subteniente, 26, and grandchildren Charade Subteniente, 9; Jed Cagampang, 10, and Sims Balaba, 2.
The bodies of the victims were recovered on the second floor of the house.
City fire district marshal Lt. Sam Velarde said the fire, which started at around 12:31 p.m., was declared out at around 2 p.m.
“Total damage was only about P50,000, but unfortunately the five victims were not able to escape and their bodies were charred beyond recognition,” Velarde said.
Firefighters said they had a hard time putting out the blaze due to the narrow streets leading to the house.