A 65-YEAR OLD man was killed after a fire gutted three houses at Cronin Village, Camaman-an, Cagayan de Oro City around 1 a.m., Tuesday, September 20.
Fire investigators identified the victim as Mario Ciriaco Quambot on whose house the fire was said to have started.
The house of the nearby neighbor Gregorio Reyes was also razed by the fire while the house of Gilbert Lumoljo was partially damaged.
The Emergency Medical Services rushed Quambot to Northern Mindanao Medical Center where he was declared dead shortly.
Investigators said Quambot may have suffocated due to the thick smoke.
"Dugay siya nakagawas unya dako na ang kalayo then na-collapse mao gidala dayon sa hospital... Wala daw nahibal-an nga naa siyay sakit ingon sa family," Senior Fire Officer 1 Imedla Barazan said.
The Bureau of Fire Protection is still investigating the cause of fire which damage cost some P150,000.
City Council social services committee chairman councilor Reuben Daba said the City Government would assist the victims of fire.
Daba said the City Social Welfare and Development Office will extend immediate aid to the victims.
"Motabang gayud ang siyudad, Atong i-assess unsa pa ang tabang nga angayan nga ihatag para sa ila especially sa burial assistance," Daba said. (AS)