Tragic Fire in Bacolod City Claims Life of Toddler, Leaves Sister Severely Injured

A devastating fire incident occurred on the night of May 24, 2025, in Purok Active, Barangay Mandalagan, Bacolod City, resulting in the death of a 1-year-old girl and serious injuries to her 6-year-old sister. This heartbreaking tragedy has shocked the local community and raised urgent calls for fire safety awareness.

The Incident

According to reports from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Bacolod, the fire ignited around 11:32 PM inside the modest home of the Sayon family. The primary cause was traced to a lit candle placed atop a plastic container, used as the household was without electricity that night.

At the time, the parents were absent: the mother was working as a caregiver in Barangay Montevista, while the father was away in Iloilo. The two older siblings, aged 17 and 14, were attending a nearby community fiesta.

Tragically, the two younger children, Angela (6 years old) and Adelin (1 year old), were left inside the house during the fire. Neighbors reported seeing Angela trying desperately to escape and were able to rescue her from the burning home. However, her baby sister Adelin remained trapped inside.

Firefighters arrived promptly and managed to extinguish the blaze by 11:37 PM, but not before the fire claimed Adelin’s life and caused significant property damage estimated at around PHP 4,000.

Community Reaction and Response

The incident has deeply affected neighbors and local residents, many of whom rallied to support the surviving family members. The fire highlighted the precarious living conditions faced by many families in the area, including the reliance on candles for lighting during power outages.

Local authorities and the Bureau of Fire Protection have issued warnings emphasizing the dangers of unattended candles and the importance of fire safety, particularly in homes without reliable electricity.

Fire Safety Reminder

This heartbreaking event serves as a solemn reminder of the critical importance of fire prevention measures:

Never leave burning candles unattended.
Keep flammable materials away from open flames.
Install smoke detectors and fire extinguishers where possible.
Develop and practice an emergency evacuation plan.

Further Information and Updates

For readers interested in following the latest updates and detailed reports on this incident, the following sources provide comprehensive coverage:

SunStar Bacolod: Girl, 1, Dies; Sister Hurt in Bacolod Fire
Bacolod Bomboradyo: Manghod Patay, Magulang Nasamaran sa Sunog sa Brgy Mandalagan
YouTube: Batang Babae, Patay Matapos Ma-trap sa Nasunog Nilang Bahay sa Brgy. Mandalagan

The tragedy underlines the urgent need for heightened fire safety awareness and support for vulnerable families in underserved communities. Our thoughts remain with the Sayon family and all affected by this heartbreaking loss.