Grandmother, 2 kids killed in Taguig fire

MANILA, Philippines - A 68-year-old woman and her two grandchildren died in a fire that broke out at a residential area in Taguig City late Tuesday night.

Zenaida de los Santos and her grandchildren Roniel, 8, and Ar Ar, who just turned one year old yesterday, were burned beyond recognition when found inside their home at Block 5, Phase 1, Coco Hills Subdivision in Barangay Bagumbayan, said Senior Inspector Severino Sevilla, chief arson investigator of the Taguig fire department.

Reports said Zenaida and Ar Ar died locked in an embrace. Roniel’s body, on the other hand, was found near his grandmother and sister.

Sevilla said the fire started at past 11 p.m. and reached the third alarm before it was put out at 12:55 a.m. yesterday.

Arson probers said Zenaida was sleeping with her six grandchildren when the fire broke out.

Her son, who was attending a wake at a neighbor’s house, rushed back home and managed to save the four children, Sevilla said.

Initial investigation showed the blaze could have been caused by an unattended gas lamp.

“Zenaida’s son said they have been using gas lamp after their electricity had been cut off. The gas lamp was hanging from the ceiling. It is possible that the lamp fell on the floor and triggered the fire,” he said.

Sevilla reminded the public that fire incidents are usually on the rise during summer.