CEBU CITY – Two more bodies were recovered from a house that was one of the structures that were razed by fire on Tuesday afternoon here.
With the recovery of the two bodies, the death toll of the fire that broke out in Arlington Pond, Barangay Sta. Cruz climbed to seven.
SFO1 Wendel Villanueva, spokesperson of the Cebu City Fire Office, said the remains of two individuals were pulled out past 8 a.m. on Wednesday.
The fatalities were identified as Hannah Mae Carvajal, 34; Felicity Sachi Carvajal, 12; Lyka Carvajal, 16; Andre Carvajal, 6; Dan Henry Carvajal, 3, Lilian Carvajal, 72; and Ivan Mejia, a 58-year-old person-with-disability (PWD).
Lilian and Mejia were the last to be pulled out.
“One of the victims, the PWD, was found in the toilet of the comfort room. They are now all accounted for,” said Villanueva.
Fire investigators suspected that the victims failed to immediately notice the fire and that flames had already engulfed the house when they tried to escape.
One family member was able to run out of the house. He tried to go back to the burning to save his relatives but was prevented, said Villanueva.
“That’s why it is very important to have a fire alarm or make sure to inform everyone if there is an ongoing fire,” Villanueva said.
The fire destroyed 10 houses and damaged five others.
Damage was pegged at P11 million.
Fire investigators are still determining the cause of fire.