CEBU CITY – Two siblings died in a fire that hit their house in Tagbilaran City, Bohol on Wednesday night, August 14.

FIREFIGHTERS conduct mopping-up operations following a fire in Tagbilaran City, Bohol where two siblings died on Wednesday night, August 14. (Contributed photo)
Jessabel Lasco, 3, and her one-year-old brother Edgardo Lasco Jr. were asleep when the fire broke out around 8 p.m.
The victims’ 55-year-old father, Edgardo Sr., was critically injured after he suffered burn injuries all over the body when he tried to save them.
The children were living with their father as their mother works in Cebu City, said Police Lt. Col. John Kareen Escober, chief of the Tagbilaran City police station.
Escober said the fire spread rapidly as their bungalow house was made of light materials.
Damage to property was pegged at P25,000.
The fire spread to two other houses before it was put out about 20 minutes later.
Selling bamboo furniture was the main livelihood of the family, said Tagbilaran Mayor Jane Yap.
Car batteries, lamps, paint thinner, and other paint materials were found in the house, which also served as display area for bamboo furniture, Yap said.
Yap said necessary assistance has been provided to the victims’ family.