Fire kills boy, 9
A nine-year-old boy, left alone by his grandmother to attend a church service, was charred to death after their house was razed by fire Sunday afternoon in Purok Ube, Barangay Gun-ob, LapuLapu City.
Firefighters found the body of James Sorbella trapped between the jamb and the half-opened door, apparently trying to squeeze himself out.
Senior Fire Officer 1 Hadji Samonte, investigator, said the main door was sealed with a padlock.
“The boy's body was already charred when we found him. Iyahang ulo naka-ung-ong sa pultahan, na suffocate na siya. Makita nimo nga naninguha sad siya og gawas padung sa hawan sa ilahang balay,” Samonte said.
James and two other siblings, aged 10 and 5, were left by their grandmother Editha, who went to attend an afternoon church service. James was sleeping when the grandmother left while his two siblings were watching television in their living room.
Samonte said Editha may have padlocked the door before she left for the church located 50 meters away. It was not clear how did the two siblings survive from the fire.
“Nibiya naman sa alas dos sa hapon ang apohan kuyog sa iyahang pag-umangkon. Sunday man gud, matag Sunday na sila moapil og service sa ilahang simbahan,” Samonte said.
A relative told Samonte that the other siblings also left the house to go to a nearby internet shop.
The fire reportedly started at the bedroom occupied by James' uncle. The uncle was also not around when the fire broke out. The fire was reported at 3:30 p.m. and was put out eight minutes later.
“Nakita namo visible ang fire pag 3:30 sa hapon mao to amo girespondehan,” Samonte said. The damage was pegged at P15,000.
Following the tragic death of the boy, Samonte warned residential house owners not to leave their children alone at home.
He recalled that three children were also burned to death after their house caught fire in Barangay Babag several years ago.
“Dapat ang mga adults mo-monitor sa ilaha ug dili nato dapat isalig sa ilaha. Mas maayo kung naa gyud silay kauban sa balay or guardian,” Samonte said.