A one-year-old boy died on the spot while his two siblings also died at the hospital after they were set ablaze by their own mother, who also set herself and their own house on fire in Sta. Maria, Bulacan.

The Bureau of Fire Protection received a report on May 15 about smoke coming from a house in the area. When neighbors went inside, they were met with thick smoke.

“Ito po 'yung ginrinder kasi ito po 'yung naka-padlock... pati 'yung doorknob sinira na rin kasi naka-lock din 'yung doorknob, talagang corner na corner,” Winniejeff Inao, one of those who helped in rescuing, said.

Inside the house, they said it was difficult to breathe due to the smell of chemicals and burning items.

“Amoy thinner 'tsaka gas... 'tsaka mabahong kutson. 'Yung usok ng kutson... sobrang hirap pong huminga dun sa loob kasi sobrang kapal na ng usok,” Inao added.

When firefighters arrived, the fire was already put out by the neighbors. However, it was too late for the youngest child who died at the scene.

His mother and two siblings, three and six years old, were rushed to the hospital but did not survive.

Investigators later found two bottles of paint thinner and a box of matches at the scene.

“May nakita kasi kaming ano r'on, dalawang bote ng paint thinner atsaka isang box ng posporo,” SFO3 Alfredo Hernandez, Chief Fire Investigator of Sta. Maria BFP, said.

Before dying, one of the children was able to tell the rescuers what happened.

“Nakapagsabi po siya doon sa mga naghatid po sa kaniya... ikinuwento, 'yung mother daw po nila ay binuhusan daw po sila ng thinner tas sinilaban,” PLTCOL. Voltaire Rivera, Chief of Sta. Maria Police Station, said.

Police filed a parricide complaint against the mother but withdrew it after her death. Authorities confirmed that the father was not at home during the incident.

“Nakakausap naman po namin through cellphone... umiiyak at nalulungkot din kung bakit nangyari 'yung ganon,” Hernandez said.

Police continue to investigate the motive behind the incident.