Fires hit Cebu, Rizal; 3 kids die

MANILA, Philippines — Three children died in fires that hit Cebu City on Tuesday and Rizal yesterday.

A 12-year-old boy died and at least 444 houses were destroyed, affecting 593 families or 2,574 individuals, when a fire broke out in Barangay Duljo-Fatima in Cebu City.

The fatality was identified as Cyrus John Ferras, a Grade 7 student, who was trapped in an internet café where he had fallen asleep.

The fire, which affected Sitios Plastikan, Buli, Mansinitas, San Pedro, Catwalk and Pasong Kabayo, started at around 4 a.m. It was declared out after more than two hours.

Councilor David Tumulak, chairman of the city council’s committee on public order and safety, said he would propose an ordinance regulating the operation of internet cafés in the city and penalizing parents who fail to monitor their children.

The Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office said the fire was the biggest to hit the city this year.

In Rizal, the remains of Jonalyn, 1, and nine-month-old Joanna, both surnamed Villapandon, were found at their residence in Barangay Libis, Binangonan.

It was not clear if the parents of the victims were at their house when the fire broke out at around 2:30 a.m.

Investigations on what caused the fires are ongoing. – The Freeman, Emmanuel Tupas