Three children died in a fire that destroyed 12 houses in Sitio Trozo, Brgy. Buluangan, San Carlos City, Negros Occidental, at 8:15 p.m. Tuesday, December 21, four days before Christmas.
They were victims of Typhoon “Odette” and were using candles to illuminate their homes since power has yet to be restored in their community, FO2 Neil Bantillo of the San Carlos Fire Station said on Wednesday.
Killed in the fire were siblings Erly John, 6, and Chisca, 3, children of Ann Sombise, and their cousin Rose Jane, 9, daughter of Mary Rose Sombise who lives in Guihulngan City, San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza said.
Their mothers are twins.
Bantillo said the fire that started at the Sombise house, which was made of light materials, was believed to have been caused by a candle.
The mother of the children and the grandmother had left their house briefly and had tied the front door making it difficult to rescue them, Bantillo said. An aunt of the children said she heard one of the children shouting for help.
“It was indeed the shortest day and the longest night of the year for the victims’ family and relatives and our affected GKKs (Galagmayng Kristohanong Katilingban or Basic Christian Communities). They expect longer nights to come unless our help reaches them soonest,” Alminaza said.
“The other residents who lost their homes in the fire are active members and tithe givers of our GKK Trozo and were greatly affected by the recent Typhoon Odette. They certainly need and deserve our help and support at this time,” the bishop said.*