Boy killed in Quezon City pre-dawn fire

MANILA, Philippines – A three-year-old boy died and his sister and father injured after a pre-dawn fire gutted their house in Quezon City early Tuesday, a city fire official said.

Senior Fire Officer 1 Bernard Sial said the fatality, identified as Mark John Contado, was “burned beyond recognition” after a 30-minute blaze that hit their home at #29 Jade Street, Payatas B in Quezon City at 3:07 a.m.

He said the fire reached first alarm before it was put out at 3:25 a.m., also leaving Mark John’s two-year old sister, Alaiza Contado, and his father Elmer, with first degree and third degree burns, respectively.

Initial investigation showed that the fire may have started from an unattended burning candle, he said. – Jamie Marie Elona