Boy, 13, dies in dawn fire

CEBU, Philippines — In Cebu City's first fire of the year, a 13-year-old orphan tragically lost his life, and over 200 residents were left homeless after a blaze tore through Sitio Galilee, Barangay Duljo Fatima, early morning on Sunday, January 5.

The victim, identified as Wrenchford Rey Abala Cahan, was trapped inside the house of Marites Ybañez, where the fire reportedly started. According to Senior Fire Officer 2 Wendell Villanueva, investigator at Cebu City Fire Office, Cahan was unable to escape when debris collapsed inside the home.

  “Wa na ni nakagawas ang bata.  Didto na nakita iyang patay nga lawas nga nasunog gyud sa ubos sa balay,” said Villanueva.

Cahan, who had been living with the family of Loreto Clemente for a month after leaving a drop-in facility, was described by neighbors as a kind and well-mannered boy.

Clemente told The Freeman he was busy attending to his younger children when the fire broke out and did not notice the boy was left behind. He expressed his profound grief over the loss of his adopted.

The fire broke out at 3:20 a.m. and quickly spread through the densely populated area. The narrow roads and tightly packed houses, constructed from a mix of wood and concrete, made it challenging for firefighters to respond.

 “Ang mga balay kay mixed ang materials, naay kahoy ug semento. Hahip-ot kaayo ang lugar unya sikit-sikit ang mga balay mao na naglisud pud og sulod ang mga firefighters nato sa area,” Villanueva told The Freeman.

A total of 29 firetrucks—nine from the Bureau of Fire Protection and 20 from volunteer fire brigades—arrived to battle the blaze. Firefighters brought the situation under control by 4:12 a.m., with the fire fully extinguished at 4:23 a.m.

In total, 25 homes were completely destroyed, and five were partially damaged, covering an area of approximately 600 square meters. The damage was estimated at P900,000. Fire investigators are still determining the cause of the fire.

The Department of Social Welfare Services (DSWS) reported that 277 individuals from 72 families were affected by the fire. Many of the displaced residents are now seeking temporary shelter at the Barangay Hall of Duljo Fatima.

Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia expressed his condolences to the victim’s family and has ordered a thorough investigation into the incident.

"Among pahasubo sa pamilya sa bata, buhaton tanan sa city government mahatagan sa tanan assistance ang pamilya,” Garcia said.

DSWS head Portia Basmayor said the city government is extending financial and burial assistance to Cahan’s family.— Rowena D. Capistrano (CEBU NEWS)