Two children trapped in their home were burned to death after an early morning fire razed down 90 houses in Cebu City today.
Nagiel Bañacia, the chief of Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office identified the children as nine-year-old Jovielyn Digman and her two-year-old brother John Mark.
According to Bañacia, the kids were trapped as the parents couldn’t get them out because the fire in Barangay Ermita burned the entrance of their house first.
The children’s parents, Joel and Jennelyn Digman, also suffered second degree burns in their futile attempt to rescue the two youngsters.
At least eight other people were also injured in the blaze that affected 80 families and more than 400 individuals.
They were Ida Alolod, Jovin Alolod, Edwina Alolod, Sandra Echavez, Inday Echavez, Tirso Gucela, Rachel Napare and Jennelyn Wagas.
The Alolods and Echavezes suffered second-degree burns, while Gucela and Napare sustained first-degree burns and Wagas suffered a deep cut to her left hand.
Cebu City Fire Marshall Noel Nelson Ababon said the blaze started at about 5.45am when a liquefied petroleum gas tank exploded at the house of Ida Alolod.
Some 40 minutes later, the fire alarm was raised to Task Force Bravo — which calls for the fire stations from neighbouring cities and municipalities to respond.
Ababon said the fire was declared under control about two hours later. The damage has been estimated at 1.5 million pesos.
At least 90 houses were destroyed in the fire, including the two-storey house of Ermita barangay chairman Mark Miral.
Miral said they only managed to save a few of their belongings as he and his family were busy helping their neighbours put off the fire and bring the victims to safety.
Meanwhile, Mayor Tomas Osmeña said the Cebu City government will extend financial assistance to the fire victims and a re-blocking will also be done in the area.