Stroke hindered his movement: Retired judge killed in fire

CEBU, Philippines - A 77-year-old former judge was killed after he was trapped inside his room after his house caught fire in Honey Ville 2, Barangay Quiot, Cebu City, yesterday dawn.

Firefighters found the body of retired judge Delfin Desierdo in his room after they extinguished the fire that started early morning yesterday.

Senior Police Officer 2 Christopher Orbiso of the Cebu City Fire Department said they received the alarm at 4:15 a.m. and considered the fire controlled 20 minutes after they arrived at the scene.

Orbiso said the fire was only raised to the first alarm but the house was totally burned down. The fire was totally put out at around 6 a.m. and damage was estimated at least P100,000.

Cebu City Fire Marshall Chief Inspector Rogelio Bongabong, who was interviewed over radio dySS, said the fire might have been caused by an unattended lighted candle in the altar of the house. The altar was in the living room just next to Delfin’s room.

Bongabong said Delfin, whose wife had already passed away two years ago, habitually lit a candle at the altar in her memory. He said it could be that the candle completely burned around dawn and the fire spread to the walls of the house.

Senior Police Officer 2 Rommel Bancog, Homicide Section investigator, said the body of Delfin was found in a prone position and had not been completely consumed by the fire.

He said Delfin’s room was located at the farthest part of the house from their main door which is the only entrance and exit to the house.

Charlene Desierdo, the victim’s daughter, said there were six of them sleeping inside the house at the time including their helper and relatives.

At dawn, they noticed smoke coming from the area where Delfin’s room was located.

When they went outside of their room, they were surprised to see that the fire already spread to the living room so they immediately evacuated.

Bancog said it was only outside when they remembered Delfin, who could only move slowly after suffering from a mild stroke, was still inside. They tried to go back into the house for Delfin but the fire was already too big.

“Dali man gud kuno niulbo ang kayo kay made of light materials man gud,” he said.

Delfin reportedly asked help from neighbors to open the window of his room so he can get out. However, the flames kept the neighbors away.

Delfin’s body was brought to the St. Peter Funeral Homes.

Bongabong said, even though it appears there was no foul play they will still conduct further investigation.

The former judge became a lawyer in 1963. He was later assigned as a presiding judge in the Municipal Trial Court of Mandaue City, Cebu and Sibonga, Cebu where he was born. He reportedly retired in 2010. — /BRP (FREEMAN)