5 killed in Bukidnon fire

TAGUM CITY, Philippines – (UPDATE) Fire swept through a neighborhood in Valencia City, Bukidnon, early Saturday, killing at least five people who were trapped in a boarding house, the authorities said.

Three other persons in the boarding house suffered serious burns and were hospitalized, Fire Officer ! Branjo Abada of the Vlencia fire station told the inquirer by phone.

Abad identified the fatalities as Alfred Villaver, 17; Kate Roca, 19; the sisters Maria Lynie, 20, and Lefraime Siarot, 16; and 19-year old Jessica Gomez.

Abad said the victims were trapped inside a boarding house, which was one of 10 structures gobbled up by the fire, which started past midnight Friday. He said the cause of the fire has not yet been established.

Three more occupants of the boarding house – Maximo Flores, his wife Thelma and their 28-year-old son John Carlo – suffered burns and were undergoing treatment at a local hospital, he said.

Originally posted at 10:10 a.m.

“The fire, which occurred near the exit area of the Valencia City hall also gutted a bakery, an eatery, offices and several houses,” said Maj. Eugenio Julio Osias, regional army spokesperson.

Abad said firefighters put out the blaze around 2:30 a.m.

“We are still investigating what caused the fire and where it started,” he said, adding that at least P1 million worth of property was destroyed in the blaze.