Two boys with special needs died when a fire broke out and razed more than 150 houses in Davao City evening on Saturday, July 13, 2024.

Authorities said the two, 11 and 14 years old, were cousins.

They were reportedly trapped inside the house and their bodies were both found inside the bathroom.

Their 17-year-old relative was also injured.

According to Arnel Salvanera, one of those who tried to save the victims, the boys were asking for help but they could not go near the spot because of the intense heat.

“Nangayo silag tabang di na namo maduol sa kakusog sa kainit, impact duha na kabalay ang nasunog unya nibuto na ang shellanebasin kami poy maapektuhan mahulugan mi og sin mga wire nganagbaga baga na maong wala nami niduol kay di naman gyudMakaya,” Salvanera said.

The barangay chairman said no one was watching over the boys when the incident happened.

“Gibiyaan sailang tigbantay nag-inom ra daw diri,” Barangay 2A Chairman, Kaloy Garcia, said. The Davao City Fire District is still investigating the cause of the fire.

“Yung na-interview po ng investigator namin is yung mismong may-aring bahay po kung saan nagsimula ang sunog. They stated na may naiwan daw pong nakasaksak sa second level ng bahay nila,” Davao City Fire District Spokesperson, Fire Inspector Frances Marie Sendras, said.

Fire investigators said the fire spread quickly to houses nearby that were made of light materials and the fire trucks could not penetrate the area because the road was narrow.

Around 203 families were affected and they are taking shelter temporarily at the modular tents at the Magallanes Elementary School.

The local government has provided immediate assistance to the survivors.