Two brothers, two and four years old, were burned to death after a fire razed their house in Barangay Poblacion, Sinacaban, Misamis Occidental.

Based on investigation, the children were alone in the house when the fire broke out. Investigation into what caused the blaze continues, as of this writing.

The boys’ parents were earning a living at that time and had locked the house from the outside so the children could not leave.

When the fire broke out, the boys were trapped inside. The fire engulfed the house fast because the house was made of light materials.

FO1 June Beejay Villacorta, Sinacaban Fire Station Arson Investigator, said a check of the fire scene showed that the older boy was trying to protect his brother to the very end.

“Sa among paglantaw sa fire scene, among nakita nga nag-effort gyud ang magulang nga protektahan niya iyang manghud pero tungod sa kakusog sa kalayo, wala gyud kay silang duha man gyud nasunog kaayo,” he said.

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BPF) said neighbors were reportedly too far to respond immediately.

The two boys were laid to rest on Tuesday, June 24, 2025.

Villacorta reminded the public to keep fire hazards away from children and, as much as possible, not to leave children alone in the house.

“Kanang mga maka-cause og kalayo, atong ipalayo sa mga bata nga dili nila makab-ot ug, kung pwde, sama sa nahitabo, dili gyud nato ibilin ang mga bata og sila lang,” he said.