Unattended Candle Fire Kills Toddler, Injures Sister

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — A one-year-old girl died and her six-year-old sister was injured in a fire caused by an unattended candle late Saturday night in Purok Active, Barangay Mandalagan.

City Fire Marshal Fire Supt. Jenny Mae Masip said the candle had been placed on a plastic storage cabinet and was left unattended.

The fire broke out at around 11:32 p.m. and quickly engulfed the house, which was completely destroyed.

Masip said the children’s teenage siblings left them alone to attend a purok fiesta, while their mother was away for work.

The older child suffered burns on both arms, her upper back, and sustained minor burns on her forehead and nose.

Neighbors responded quickly using a bucket relay in an attempt to control the flames.

Firefighters declared the blaze out at 11:37 p.m., with total damage estimated at PHP4,000.

Masip said the family usually relied on solar-powered lighting at night, but due to heavy rain earlier that day, the system failed to charge, forcing them to use a candle.

This is the second fatal candle-related fire in Bacolod City this week.

On May 20, two children aged six and eight died in a similar fire in Purok Lison, Barangay 1, also caused by a candle used during a power outage.

Authorities again urged residents never to leave candles unattended, especially when children are present.