3 kids die in Davao fire

THREE children perished after a fire hit their house in 77 Alley, General Malvar, Barangay 7-A Poblacion, Davao City, around 11:45 a.m. Sunday.

Killed in the incident were Jerome Aguas, 7, and his siblings Rose Mae, 6, and Roselyn, 1.

Based on investigation conducted by Fire Officer 1 (FO1) Joriebel Kidlat, the mother of the victims identified as Lorna May Aguas left her kids at home to buy food at a nearby store. When Aguad returned, she saw their house already engulfed in flames.

DAVAO. Workers from Angel Funeral Parlor retrieve the body of one of three children who perished in a fire in Malvar, Sunday afternoon. (Alger Dura)

The Aguas residence was razed by the fire while two other houses were damaged.

Kidlat said he has yet to determine the cause of the fire, although he is looking at the possibility that the fire may have been caused by either an electrical short circuit or an unattended "katol" (insect repellant).

The father of the victims, Roger Aguas, in an interview with Sun.Star Davao SuperBalita, said her wife left the kids to buy them snacks.

"Gibilin ni sila sa akong asawa kay nagpalit siya ug ilang merienda mao nga wala sila naluwas. Mao nalang ni ang akong naabtan gikan sa trabaho (They were left behind by my wife as she bought snacks for them that is why they were not rescued)," Roger said.

He said his children were sleeping when the fire broke out.

The fire was put out shortly as citizens of the barangay responded immediately.

Barangay 7-A chief Joseph Orilla thanked the citizens for helping put out the fire and rescuing the elders. He said, however, it was unfortunate the incident had casualties.

The victims were brought to the Angel Funeral Homes while the barangay officials are preparing the pertinent documents to acquire some financial assistance from the City Social Services and Development Office for the victims. (Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)