Victims are all children: Mambaling fire leaves 3 dead

CEBU, Philippines — Three young children tragically lost their lives in a devastating fire that engulfed their home in Sitio Mabapo, Bayabas Street, Barangay Mambaling, Cebu City, yesterday morning.

The fire, which reportedly started at the house of Junrel Abella occupied by Ynica Marie Siaboc and her family, was reported at 8:15 a.m., raised to the first alarm at 8:53 a.m., and placed under control by 9:04 a.m. It was declared fire out by 11 a.m.

The blaze claimed the lives of siblings Sachzna Lexy, 6; Razan Kyle, 4; and Athena Lexy, 3.

According to the City Public Information Office, the children’s father had left to fetch their mother from work, leaving the children alone at home.

Adones Abergedo, a neighbor, was injured while trying to rescue the children.

Abergedo explained that he was taking out garbage when he noticed smoke.

After securing his own children, who were eating breakfast, he attempted to climb to where the Siaboc children were but was overwhelmed by thick smoke and fell.

Witnesses reported hearing the children’s cries for help and saw them waving their hands through a window before the fire engulfed the house. Fire investigators are still determining the cause of the blaze, although the parents stated there were no matches, lighters, or butane in the house.

The fire left 20 houses completely burned and five partially damaged, with property losses estimated at P750,000.

City Councilor Joel Garganera, under the instruction of Mayor Raymond Garcia, immediately visited the site to extend the City’s assistance to the grieving family.

“The City will shoulder all burial expenses,” Garganera said, adding that the children’s charred remains will be sealed in three separate coffins. A wake will be held at a chapel near the fire site, and the children’s remains will later be cremated, as the mother wishes to keep their ashes.

Garganera expressed deep sorrow over the incident, describing how the children were found embracing each other when their remains were recovered.

“When I saw them upstairs, the three kids were embracing each other… Sakit uy, sakit kaayo (It’s painful, very painful),” he said.

He also recalled a similar tragedy that occurred in Barangay Tinago on February 27, 2024, which claimed four lives—two minors and two adults—and left 13 houses totally destroyed.

“Very sad day for Cebu,” Garganera remarked.

The Cebu City government continues to provide support to the affected families as the investigation into the cause of the fire continues. — (FREEMAN)