A tragic house fire claimed the life of a 15-year-old boy with a disability in Samboan, Cebu, on Tuesday afternoon, May 26, 2026. The victim, identified as Ronel, was mentally ill and had difficulty walking. He was found burnt beyond recognition by firefighters and police at the scene.
Fire Details
The fire broke out around 1:35 p.m. in Sitio Calin-ay, Barangay Poblacion. According to Fire Officer 1 Joseph Marvin Eluna, the fire investigator of Samboan, the victim was left alone at home when the fire started. His father, Ronny, had left early for work as a helper. His mother, Belen, had been cooking lunch earlier but left to earn extra income, forgetting to extinguish the glowing embers in the wood-fired stove.
"There were still live embers when she left. They believe the wind fanned the embers, which then spread to the wooden structures," Eluna explained.
Attempt to Escape
The fire rapidly engulfed the entire house made of light materials. Eluna noted that the victim likely tried to escape, as his remains were found near the doorway. However, due to his difficulty walking, the flames caught up with him.
The house was located two kilometers from the main road. Firefighters were only alerted when a walk-in informant personally reported the fire at the station. By the time they arrived, the victim could not be saved.
Investigation Outcome
Authorities declared the incident an accident. The fire caused an estimated P5,000 worth of damage, destroying the house completely.
