5 kids, rescuer perish in Quiapo inferno

Five children died when fire engulfed a congested residential area in Quiapo, Manila Wednesday night while their mother was

at work.

The fatalities were identified as siblings Jamalia, Jamila and Jamaica – all surnamed Daco, aged 9, 8 and 2; their cousins Babylove and Gerald Sampaho, both 9 years old; and Michael Ramos, 30.

Arson investigators said the blaze originated from a five-story residential building owned by a certain “Ebrahim,” along Arlegui Street about 8:14 p.m. The fire reached the fifth alarm and razednearby houses made of light materials.

The children were reportedly trapped inside their burning shanty on Arlegui Street. Hearing their cries, Ramos reportedly rushed to save the children but failed. Ashliya Daco who was working as a saleslady in a shop along Villalobos street said she left her children to the care of her sister and mother and wondered why they were not saved.

When the smoke cleared, firemen saw the charred remains of Ramos embracing one of the victims.

Senior Inspector Reden Alumno of the Manila Bureau of Fire Protection said the fire was under control before midnight.

Investigators are eyeing faulty electrical wiring as the possible cause of the fire.

The charred remains of the victims were brought to the Golden Mosque and buried within 24 hours in keeping with Muslim tradition.