In Bogo City and Tabogon: Three killed in two fire incidents

CEBU, Philippines — Tragedy struck Cebu a few days before the New Year as three individuals, including a one-year-old girl and a mother with her seven-year-old son, perished in separate fires in Bogo City and Tabogon.

On the afternoon of December 29, 2024, a fire broke out at around 3:45 p.m. in Purok Perico, Barangay Taytayan, Bogo City, destroying a house made of light materials. The fire claimed the life of one-year-old Rhea Mae Flores Vera Cruz, who was alone at home when the blaze started.

According to the Bogo City Police, the victim’s father, 37-year-old Ruel Enero Vera Cruz, was at work as a delivery rider in Barangay Don Pedro Rodriguez while her mother, Ana Mae Flores Vera Cruz, 32, is employed as a house helper in Manila.

The victim’s four siblings, the eldest of whom is nine years old, were reportedly playing computer games at a nearby internet café when the fire occurred.

A neighbor noticed the flames and attempted to extinguish the fire but was unable to prevent its rapid spread. By the time the police, firefighters, and personnel from the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office arrived, the house had been completely engulfed in flames.

The fire was declared out by 4:10 pm, and the victim’s lifeless body was found in the debris.

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Bogo City is still investigating the cause of the fire.

Tabogon fire kills mother and son

In a separate incident, a fire in Purok Nangka, Barangay Ilihan, Tabogon, Cebu, claimed the lives of 33-year-old Mylene Tul-id Lubanga and her seven-year-old son, Regil Kent, in the early hours of December 30, 2024.

Chief Fire Investigator FO2 Ian Morales of the Tabogon Fire Station stated that the fire alarm was received at approximately 12:20 am.

Investigation revealed that the fire was likely caused by a candle left unattended during a power outage that began at 8:00 pm the previous evening.

Mylene and her son were sleeping inside their room when the fire started. Two other individuals in the house—a 14-year-old and a 15-year-old friend—attempted to extinguish the flames but failed. They were able to escape.

According to Morales, Mylene’s daughter woke up after feeling the heat and tried to alert her mother.

Upon seeing the fire, Mylene initially ran outside but rushed back into the house to rescue her son.

“Pagsulod niya (Mylene) tungod sa kayo ug aso, didto noon siya na-trap sa CR… Ug ang patay’ng lawas sa iyang anak naa sa gawas sa pultahan sa ilahang kwarto,” Morales explained.

The fire caused an estimated damage of P126,000, with a neighboring house sustaining partial damage. The Tabogon Fire Station is continually investigating the incident. — (FREEMAN)