A 14-year-old boy with a disability died after being trapped in a fire that destroyed his family's home on Saturday, May 23, 2026, in Barangay Liloan, Santander, a town in southern Cebu, Philippines.
The victim was identified as Johnvin Miñao, a resident of the area. According to the Santander Police Station and the Bureau of Fire Protection, the fire started around 12:30 p.m. while the boy was alone in the kitchen cooking. Witnesses reported that the victim had a developmental disability.
At the time of the incident, the victim's mother, Janet Tinerepe, 35, was washing clothes, and his father, Ervin Miñao, 39, was working at a construction site. Authorities stated that the fire originated in the kitchen and quickly spread through the house, which was constructed of light materials.
Neighbors attempted to rescue the boy but were unsuccessful due to the intensity of the flames. The victim's charred remains were recovered during clearing operations after the fire was extinguished.
The Santander Bureau of Fire Protection is continuing its investigation into the cause of the fire. The victim's remains were taken to a funeral parlor in the town. Residents gathered outside the burned house as authorities processed the scene and conducted clearing operations.
