LEGAZPI CITY – Two siblings died while their mother was injured after fire struck three houses in Matnog, Sorsogon on Saturday night.
The fatalities were identified as Tinay Gardon, 18, and Baby Gardon, 11, who were trapped inside their burning house while their mother, Jennifer managed to escape the flames.
Police Senior Master Sergeant Rommel Chil of the Matnog police, said the fire started from a lighted candle that Gardon family had used after the power outage in Barangay Tablac at around 8:30 p.m.
Based on initial investigation, the candle near the stockpiled gallons of gasoline may have triggered the fire that led to the explosion of the gas tanks in two separate houses.
Police said the family sells gasoline in bottles as their source of income.
“The siblings, who were eating when the incident happened, had no way out. Their mother was at the main door where the fire started,” Chil said.
The fire that was placed under control at 11 p.m completely gutted the two houses, while another was partially damaged.