MANILA, Philippines — A family of three died in a fire that gutted a house in Barangay 49, Caloocan City before dawn yesterday.
The bodies of Joseph Hernandez, his partner Ashea Robil and their five-month-old infant were found in the first-floor bathroom of the two-story house they were renting in Malonzo Compound, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) reported.
Hernandez was found bent over his baby, according to BFP investigator Fire Officer 3 Othello Ballesfin.
The fire reportedly came from an old food cart parked near the house, he said, adding that investigators have yet to determine the cause of the blaze.
Ballesfin noted that some residents said the fire could have been caused by firecrackers.
The fire started at around 4:22 a.m. and reached first alarm before it was put out at around 5:29 a.m.
The flames destroyed three houses, leaving around 13 families or 41 individuals homeless, as well as P50,000 worth of property, Ballesfin said.