CEBU CITY – An 11-year-old boy died after he was trapped in a fire that razed their house in Barangay Duljo-Fatima here on Sunday night, April 16. The boy was alone on the second floor of the house when the fire broke out past 8 p.m. The boy’s grandfather, Marino Milyumida, suffered burns in different parts of the body when he tried to save the boy. According to Milyumida, the fire broke out after the boy’s mother left to buy something in a store. The boy’s father was plying as an e-trike driver during the incident. Marino said before the house caught fire, he heard the boy crying on the second floor of the house. The grandfather said he thought that the boy was just having tantrums. A few moments later, Milyumida said he saw the second floor of the house already on fire. He rushed upstairs to try to save the infant by pulling the foam where the boy was lying at the time. Milyumida said the foam was already on fire and it was stuck on the floor that made it hard for him to pull it out. The grandfather retreated when the fire grew bigger. He suffered burns on his arm, face, and stomach. It took about an hour before the fire was put out by firefighters. Senior Fire Officer 2 Wendell Villanueva, information officer of the Cebu City Fire Department, said a lighted candle may have caused the fire. It was learned that the family was using candles to light their house at night after their electric supply was cut a few months ago. “That’s why we keep reminding the public to be really careful especially when using candles. Don’t leave it unattended, don’t put it near curtains, cartons, or any combustible materials. We keep on reminding but maybe some remains complacent,” said Villanueva.