Toddler killed in Cebu fire

CEBU CITY, Philippines–A three-year-old boy was killed in a fire that engulfed his grandfather’s house late Monday evening in Barangay  Bulacao, Talisay City, Cebu.

Fire Officer 2 Cesar de la Serna, investigator of the Talisay City Fire Department, identified the fatality as Mark Lester Tisoy, whose burnt remains were found following the 15-minute fire.

De la Serna said his twin brother, Mark Anthony, was rescued by a family member before the house was engulfed by the fire.

The family of the twins lived at the house of their grandfather, Eliseo Tisoy, with two other families.

In an interview, De la Serna said the twins were reportedly playing matches in the room of an aunt, where flammable materials like thinner and paints were stored.

The parents of the twins and the other family members were busy finishing the rush orders for icons of the Baby Jesus since the Sto. Niño fiesta is drawing near.

At around 11 p.m., the Tisoy couple noticed the fire that broke out in the room of the twins’ aunt.

De la Serna said the family members panicked and only Mark Anthony was whisked out of the house.

It was too late when the family members realized that Mark Lester was still inside the room where the fire started, he added.

The father, Antonio, wanted to return to the house to save his son but the fire had already spread.

De la Serna said the fire trucks could not enter the compound so the firemen had to link at least five hoses together in order to put out the fire.

Five houses were destroyed owned by the twins’ grandfather Eliseo, Ligaya Ababon, Galo Cabriana, Celso Cabellon and Juleson Daan.

The damage to the houses, which were made of light materials, was pegged at P175,000.