ZAMBOANGA CITY – Four children perished as they were trapped in a fire that razed a house in a remote barangay in the province of Zamboanga del Sur, a police official said.
Captain Edwin Duco, spokesperson of the Zamboanga Peninsula police regional office identified the fatalities as siblings Gian, nine; Njay, eight; Anthon, seven; and, Christian, four, all surnamed Colanggo.
“The four children died as they were trapped inside the house when fire broke out around 10:05 p.m. Thursday in Barangay Lower Salug Daku, Mahayag town, Zamboanga del Sur,” Duco said.
Duco added that the fire rapidly engulfed and razed the house made of light materials.
Gil Albatera Colanggo, the father of the victims, left the children inside the house as he attended a wake nearby. The victim’s mother is an overseas worker.
He said the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) has yet to determine the cause of the fire and the cost of the damages. – Nikolai Gonzalo and Zorayda Eva Mustaril/NewsLine Philippines