A ONE-YEAR-OLD girl died while her six-year-old sister was injured when a fire destroyed their home in Purok Active, Barangay Mandalagan, Bacolod City on Saturday evening, May 24, 2025.
The fatality was identified as Adelin Sayon. Injured was her sister, Angela, who sustained third-degree burns on her right and left arms, upper back, forehead, and nose.
City Fire Marshal Superintendent Jenny Mae Masip said the fire started at the house owned by Stela Sayon at 11:32 p.m.
The fire immediately spread, but their neighbors helped put out the fire and managed to rescue the six-year-old girl.
The charred remains of the one-year-old girl were found face down on the floor.
The fire was put out at 11:37 p.m. It left around P4,000 worth of properties.
Masip said they had difficulty penetrating the area because of the narrow passageways and that it was also challenging to use the water hose to reach the affected area.
Investigation showed the fire started on a plastic box due to an unattended lighted candle.
Masip said the family of the victims was not around when the fire occurred.
She said the mother of the victims was at work while their 17-year-old sister and 14-year-old brother attended a fiesta in a nearby purok.
Masip urged the public to exercise caution and avoid leaving lit candles unattended, especially before leaving home or sleeping, as they pose a fire risk. (MAP)