CHILD PLAYS WITH LIGHTER ACCIDENTALLY ROASTS BABY BROTHER TO DEATH

BY KEVIN GALANG

A FOUR-MONTH old baby on Tuesday was roasted to death following a fire that razed a nipa hut triggered by his elder brother’s playing of a lighter in Pandi, Bulacan.

A report to Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) director Brig. Gen. Ponce Rogelio Penones Jr. showed the incident occurred at Sitio Puguhan in Bgy. Cacarong Matanda, Pandi, Bulacan.

According to the Bulacan police, the fire started  around 3 p.m. on Tuesday while the infant was left alone sleeping inside the nipa hut.

The baby’s three-year-old brother entered the hut while playing with a lighter and allegedly accidentally set fire a comforter near where the infant was sleeping.

The fire quickly spread, resulting in severe burns to the infant, that led to his death.

Police said the children’s mother attempted to rescue the infant after learning of the incident but sustained burn injuries to her right hip, hands, and left leg.

The injured mother was brought to Rogaciano Mercado Hospital for medical treatment.

Police coordinated with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) for further investigation to determine the exact cause of the fire and assess any possible liabilities.

Authorities reminded parents not to leave their children unattended and keep all matches and lighters out of reach of kids to prevent similar tragedies.