By Calvin D. Cordova with Larnie Lopez Bacalando
CEBU CITY – Two siblings were killed in a fire that engulfed some 50 houses early morning yesterday in Ermita, a densely populated barangay here.
The fatalities were identified as two-year-old John Mark Digman, and his nine-year-old sister, Jovielyn.
According to Chief Insp. Noel Nelson Ababon, fire marshal, the blaze, which rendered at least 80 families homeless, started before 6 a.m.
It was allegedly caused by a defective kerosene stove used by the fatalities’ mother, Ida.
The fire was placed under control more than two hours later at 8 a.m.
Ababon said the two dead siblings were found in a sitting position near a wall.
“The sister was in front of her brother. It seemed like she tried to protect her brother from the flames,” he said.
Damage was pegged at P1.5 million.
Injured during the fire were the deceased children’s other sister, Jennelyn, 12, and their father, Joel.
