By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
Two minors managed to survive their home being gutted by fire along Lumboy Street in the Capitol Heights Subdivision, Barangay Villamonte, Bacolod City, yesterday afternoon.
Rescuers identified the victims as seven-year-old Kian Gumban, and 12-year-old Ricky Gumban, Jr., both residents of the said barangay.
Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) lead arson investigator, Fire Officer 3 (FO3) Cornelio Silva, said the house, owned by the children’s father Ricky, burst into flames around 12:40 p.m.
The two minors managed to escape the burning home, as firefighters raced to the area and quelled the blaze within minutes.
The minors’ uncle, Loloy Gumban, said the elder Ricky and his wife were not at home during the blaze as they were attending to their business.
Silva issued a caution to parents, asking they not leave their children at home unattended.
Earlier, three children who were left on their own in Barangay Felisa died in a separate fire incident./DGB, WDJ