Butuan fire kills baby girl, hurts 3 others

BUTUAN CITY — A one-year-old girl was killed and three people were hurt in a fire that razed a barangay here Sunday afternoon. The fire — which reportedly started from an unattended wooden burner — burned down more than 100 houses, including a Mosque, and left 400 people homeless in Barangay New Society, the city's Fire Marshall office said. Butuan City Fire Marshall Patricio Vazques identified the lone casualty as Michelle Palala, aged one-year-old and two months, who died after being trapped inside their burning house. Those hurt were Michelle's mother Divine Palala who tried to save her; Michelle's older sister Karina Palala, 3 years old; and Fire Officer 2 Wilson Cupay of the Buenavista, Agusan del Norte Fire Station. Eyewitnesses Catherine Cali, 26, claimed she saw the fire at the ceiling of the house of the Palalas. Editha Bugjao, a 65-year-old who lives near the Palala residence, said she suspects the fire started at the house of the Palala family. Authorities estimate the cost of damage at P20 million at the most. They added that the fire was the biggest so far this year. It is the 12th fire incident to hit this city and nearby areas. - Ben Serrano/RSJ, GMANews.TV