THE bodies of two minors who also happened to be cousins were found under the debris during the clearing operations conducted by the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) on Monday night following a fire that hit a residential area in Sta. Mesa, Manila.
The two, whose names and gender were not revealed, were said to have been trapped inside their burning home.
Their bodies were discovered at around 10:15 p.m. after the fire that began at 3:42 p.m. in a residence located on Road 12, Phase 1, Brgy 628 in Sta. Mesa.
Fire SInsp. Cesar Babante, Station 2 Commander of the BFP-Manila, said the victims were ‘totally burned’ and were initially reported to be missing.
“Meron po tayong naitala na dalawang casualty. Ito po ay na- retrieve na namin at nadala na po sa punerarya. Beyond recognition na po. Kasi totally burned na po talaga,” Babante said.
He said the fire reached fourth alarm before being declared ‘fire under control’ at 6:50 p.m. and totally contained at 3:05 a.m. on Tuesday.
About 220 families were affected in the fire that left an estimated damage to property costing P400,000.
Barangay officials said the fire victims were given temporary shelter in three evacuation centers in Barangays 628 and 632 and have been provided by the Manila social welfare department under Re Fugoso, with food, hygiene kits, grocery items and clothes, on orders of Mayor Honey Lacuna.
