The fatalities, identified as Jessica and Jay Pee Miergas, sustained burns in various parts of the body and died of suffocation while trapped inside their house on Jasmin street, TS. Cruz Homes, Almanza.
Senior Fire Officer 3 Noel Consignato said the blaze started at 2:52 a.m. from an altar in the living room. The family went to bed leaving a candle still lit.
"The adults were suddenly awakened by the intense heat," Consignato said.
The father, Rommy, managed to get out and rushed back in to rescue his month-old child, but was not able to locate the two other children.
When the fire was finally put out at 3:58 a.m., firefighters found Jessica on the bathroom floor and Jay Pee inside one of the rooms.
"Both of them had burns in the body, but it was suffocation that killed them," the arson investigator said.
Although the father was still in a state of shock when interviewed by investigators, he admitted that they often leave lighted candles at the altar.
Fire officials said people should never leave a lit candle unattended because it is still the "classic cause of fire."<