A mother sustained severe burns while protecting her children during a fire that engulfed their rented home in Sitio Alaska Centro, Barangay Mambaling, Cebu City, early Tuesday morning.
The woman, identified as Mary Ann Alegado, said in an interview with Brigada News FM Cebu that their home had no electricity, and they were using an oil lamp. She woke up to find their cardboard ceiling in flames.
As the fire rapidly spread, Alegado instinctively used her body to shield her children from the blaze.
Her brother, Mark Joseph, who lived on the upper floor of the building, rushed to kick open their room door, allowing them to escape. In his haste, he fell down the stairs and suffered a fracture.
The fire, raised to the first alarm at 3:38 a.m., was extinguished by 4:20 a.m. According to initial investigations, seven homes were affected, with four completely destroyed. Damage to property is estimated at ₱750,000.
Despite the extensive damage, no casualties were reported. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.
