5 children die in Pasay fire

Five children, all siblings with ages from two months to five years old, perished in a fire as they were trapped while sleeping in their room in Pasay City Monday night.

Arson investigators identified the victims as Fancesa, two months old, Mark Vincent, 2, Cynthel James, 3, Mark Lester, 4, and Mark Anthony, 5, all surnamed Cosilet.

Thier elder sister, Hazel was still in critical condition as of yesterday at the Manila Sanitarium Hospital due to second-degree burns.

Based on the investigation of Fire Office 3 Renato Recto of the Pasay City Fire Department, the fire broke out about 9:35 p.m. inside the room of the victims’ dilapidated apartment at the corner of San Juan and Harrison streets.

Investigators said the Cosilets were living without electricity in the apartment for failure to pay their electricity bills.

Recto said the children’s parents Sherwin, 29, and Nerissa, 34, were both unemployed and were out of the house when the blaze occurred. They were probably out to buy candles when the fire started, a prober said.

Investigators said that one of the candles being used by the children may have toppled over, causing the fire. The fire was put out at 9:56 p.m.

Meanwhile, a store owner was stabbed to death following a fistfight initiated by neighborhood toughies in Malabon City around noon yesterday. Three of the five attackers were arrested by the police.

Prober SPO2 Edelfonso Orig Jr. identified the victim as Rovie John San Diego, 23, single, of 109 Flamingo Street, Panghulo, Obando, Bulacan.

According to sketchy police reports, the victim was cleaning up in his store located in Barangay Baritan, Malabon at around 12 noon while talking with his friend Jefferson Cabuso when suspects Rodel Legaspi and Jay Ocampo came by.

Legaspi alleged shouted at and cussed the victim. Sensing trouble, Cabuso texted their common friend, Rico San Juan, who immediately came to their aid.

San Juan tried his best to pacify the suspects but was ignored. The suspects tried to punch San Juan but missed. A scuffle ensued between the two but the duo were soon pacified.

Legaspi then left for home but returned minutes later, this time, tagging along his brother Rogelio, who was then holding a knife. – Jose Aravilla and Jerry Botial