3 dead in Corinthian Garden fire; probers blame Christmas lights

A mother and her two sons were killed when they were trapped during a four-hour blaze inside their two-story mansion at the posh Corinthian Garden subdivision in Quezon City late Thursday evening.

The fire was allegedly caused by defective Christmas lights in the living room.

Chief Inspector Oscar Villagas, Quezon City fire marshall, said firemen found the charred remains of Christina Yao, 54, her sons, Hewell, 18 and Hewey, 11, inside a bathroom of the house at No. 10 Manansala st., Corinthian Garden, Barangay New Ugong.

The Yao family reportedly owns the Washington Watches, dealer of imported wristwatches.

Fire Sgt. Jose Nagpacan said Christina’s husband Henry was "hysterical" when firefighters arrived on the scene. According to Nagpacan Henry, who was outside the burning house when firefighters arrived, refused to give any further comment except to say he would only issue a statement after the burial of his wife and sons. Henry also declined to have their remains autopsied, Nagpacan said.

Initial investigation showed that the fire broke out at the living room, apparently triggered by Christmas lights that overheated.

"The victims were apparently trapped and suffocated inside the bathroom," Villegas said.

He said a housemaid who escaped unhurt is now being asked to shed light on the incident.

Villegas said the fire spread rapidly to the second floor of the mansion that was made of hard wood and concrete.

As firemen searched the gutted house for clues on the origin of the fire, they found the victims covered with debris at the bathroom inside the master’s bedroom.

Earlier, at about 8 p.m. a fire also damaged a three-story commercial building along Quirino Highway in Novaliches.

Villegas said the fire destroyed the third floor. The blaze was placed under control after one hour. No one was hurt.