16-year-old Boy Trapped to Death in Cebu Fire

A 16-year-old boy was trapped to his death when a fire believed caused by an unattended candle hit his house shortly after midnight Thursday in Barangay Basak San Nicolas, Cebu City.

Fire investigators identified the fatality as Jomarie Dihagan, whose charred remains were recovered after the fire.

Senior Fire Officer 1 Edwin Handayan, fire investigator of the Cebu City Fire Department, said initial investigation showed that the fire broke out at 12:15 a.m. Thursday.

Handayan said the fire was caused by a candle which was left unattended.

The candle was believed to be used in a prayer offered to Dihagan’s deceased father.

The fire was put under control at 12:30 a.m. Thursday causing some PHP80,000 worth of damage to properties. (PNA) LAP/EB/EDS