Tuesday, August 28, 2007 4 victims in Daanbantayan fire buried
THE elderly couple and their granddaughters who were killed when a fire razed their house in Daanbantayan town, Cebu were buried last Sunday.
Daanbantayan Mayor Sun Shimura said he paid for the immediate burial of the victims as they could no longer be embalmed because their bodies were charred.
Shimura also said he sent social welfare representatives to check on the incident and assess how the local government can help the family.
The mayor also plans to assist the victims’ family rebuild their house.
The Provincial Government is also expected to give financial assistance.
Nicolas Baterna, 74, his wife Leona, 64, and their granddaughters Jasmine, 3 and Cristina Ibot, 1 died when their house made of light materials was razed by fire Saturday night.
The fire also gutted the house of Ricardo Mendoza, also a relative of the couple.
The fire may have been caused by a kerosene lamp because the couple never had electricity in their house.
The couple’s grandson, Jaime Baterna, was able to escape after he jumped out of the window.
The bodies of the two children and Leona’s were found in the living room while Nicolas’ was found in the kitchen. (MBG)
