A 77-YEAR-OLD widower died in a fire in Sitio Banika in Barangay Talamban, Cebu City on Friday, Oct. 11, 2019.

The fire alarm was received at 9:17 a.m. and was declared under control by firefighters at 9:35 a.m.

The victim was identified as Catalino Calago, who was inside the house when the fire broke out. He reportedly could no longer walk.

At the fire scene, Ann Calago Diong told personnel of the Talamban Police Station that her father had been living alone. They brought him food since he could no longer get up from his bed.

“He was already old and he had poor vision. He was not able to get out of the house because he was alone,” Police Staff Sergeant Junrel Boniel said in Cebuano.

Another victim, Doris Saberon, 46, sustained first-degree burns on her back and shoulders when she tried to put out the fire.

The house made of light materials was owned by Cherry Nitoy. Damage was estimated at P50,000.

The police suspect that electrical misuse caused the fire but they have yet to verify it with the Bureau of Fire Protection in Cebu City. (from AYB & ANV of Superbalita Cebu/RSR/LRC)