A Fire Tragedy in Cebu, Philippines
By by: MAR W. MOSQUEDA JR.
CEBU CITY — Four children — aged 10, five, four and three — were charred beyond recognition after they were trapped inside their burning house during a fire at sitio San Vicente, barangay Duljo-Fatima, this city last Thursday night.
The tragic incident took place as the entire Cebu Province is gearing up for the celebration of the feast of the Holy Child, Sto. Niño, and the Sinulog festival on Sunday.
Cebu City fire investigators said that the parents of the four children locked up the children inside their rented room at past 8 Thursday night as the couple went to the vicinity of the Sto. Niño Basilica to sell ice water and cigarettes.
SFO2 Julieto Manding identified the victims as Maria Jarquine Padayao, 10; her siblings Jundee, 5; Jennel, 4; and Rosemarie, 3.
Manding said the charred bodies of the four victims were found in the Padayaos’ rented room after firefighters put out the fire in 42 minutes.
One of the victims placed her head inside a pail filled with water in an attempt to escape the burning. Her entire body, however, was severely burned.
What is your reaction?