Boy, 3, killed in fire

CEBU, Philippines -  A three-year-old son of a Sto. Niño icon maker in Barangay Bulacao, Talisay City was burned to death after he got trapped in their burning house last Monday evening.

The charred body of Mark Lester Tisoy was found by his relatives and the responding firemen under the debris.

The fire which allegedly started at the house of Eliseo Tisoy, victim's grandfather, also razed four other houses in the neighborhood at Sitio Hawod.

The victim's twin brother, Mark Anthony, escaped from the inferno which started at 11:10 p.m.  The Talisay City Fire Department declared the fire under control 20 minutes later. It was placed under second alarm. The damage was pegged at  P175,000.

Other houses razed by fire were owned by Ligaya Ababon, Galo Cabriana, Celso Cabellon and Judilon Daan. Another house owned by Dennis Ramos was partially damaged.

Two life-size icons of Sto. Niño allegedly owned by the Gullas Family which was repaired at the factory were also reduced into ashes.

Initial investigation shows that Mark Lester was left alone in his room playing with matches. SFO2  Cesar Dela Cerna said that the parents of the victim were busy doing overtime work to cope up with the demands for icons of the Sto. Niño because of the upcoming Sinulog.

Dela Cerna said they found the boy's remains at the corner of the house. He believed that the victim hid himself for fear after setting the house on fire.

Firefighters reportedly had difficulty penetrating the area because of the narrow access road.

Eliseo, 70, said he was sleeping when the fire broke. He allegedly tried to save his grandson but could not anymore enter the house because the fire was already big.

Eliseo said the stocks of paints and thinner inside the house fueled the fire.

According to Eliseo, it is possible that his grandson found a lighter and played with it without them knowing.

Bulacao Barangay Captain Raul Cabañero said the victims will receive financial assistance from the barangay. Cabañero said he will also request additional assistance from the city government of Talisay.—/FPL (FREEMAN)