Baby killed as fire engulfs houses in Cabanatuan City

Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija (Google maps)

CABANATUAN CITY – A 1-year-old baby girl was killed in a 50-minute fire that razed two residential houses in Barangay San Josef Norte here on Tuesday (Dec. 28), police said.

Senior Fire Officer 2 Walter Enriquez, the chief investigator, identified the fatality as Carla Entac.

Enriquez said the girl was left under the care of her 13-year-old sibling while their parents were away.

He said the fire broke out at 12:34 a.m., reached the first alarm, and was put out at about 1:20 a.m.

The twin houses are situated in a densely populated area along a creek and were made of light materials, investigators said.

Enriquez said the girl’s sibling sought help but to no avail.

“Siya po ay nataranta at tumakbo para hanapin yung kanilang magulang. Para humingi po ng tulong subalit sa pagbalik po ay malaki na po yung sunog,” Enriquez said.

Marites Bondoc, a neighbor, said the children’s parents went out to buy coffee and diapers after attending a wake nearby.

The investigation further showed that the body of the baby was found near the stairs.

The cause of the fire has yet to be determined, investigators said. INQ

/MUF