3 kids, grandparents die in Taguig fire

Five people were killed and at least 18 families were left homeless in a fire in Taguig City on Tuesday night.

The fatalities were identified as siblings Francine, Franklin and France John Lozano, aged 12, 8 and 6, respectively; and their grandparents Ramon Benjamin, 78, and the bed-ridden Virginia, 68.

Authorities said the fire broke out at 8:23 p.m. at the house of Melanie Castro on Abbot Street, Palar Village.

Fire Senior Insp. Peter Se of the Bureau of Fire Protection-Taguig said either a lighted candle or a kerosene lamp left unattended at Castro’s house, which had no power supply, may have caused the blaze.

At least 10 homes were damaged by the hourlong fire. —Dexter Cabalza