ORMOC CITY– A mother and her two young daughters died after their home was engulfed in flames in Babatngon, Leyte, in the early hours of December 27, 2025, authorities reported.
The victims were identified as ‘Marie’, 34, her 13-year-old daughter ‘Ella’, and 8-year-old ‘Mona’, all residents of Block 70, Lot 7, Channel Ridge View, Barangay District I.
Police said the fire started around 12:30 a.m. while the family was sleeping. Neighbors attempted to put out the flames, but the fire spread quickly, trapping the victims inside. A concerned citizen reported the incident at 2:23 a.m., prompting a response from the Babatngon Police Station.
Firefighters declared the fire under control at 2:49 a.m., and Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) 8 arrived around 4:45 a.m. to conduct an investigation. All three victims were pronounced dead by Dr. Julieta Conge, Municipal Health Officer of Babatngon.
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) estimated the damage at P1.3 million. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
(ELVIE ROMAN ROA)
