TAYABAS CITY, Quezon – Five people, including five minors, perished after a fire destroyed five houses Saturday evening at Sitio Walang Diyos, Barangay Lalo.
The fatalities have been identified as Joana Marie Durante, 28, Diserie Durante Rey, 7, grade 1, Paul Jake Durante Rey, 5, Julian Audrey Rey Balabies, 3, and John Lloyd Rey Balabies, 12.
Authorities said the fire started in the house of Virgilyn Chavez Rey and spread quickly to the houses owned by Pedrito Mendez Flores, 60, Remelyn Flores Ortiz, 37, Ronilito Liwag Flores, 34, and Aurora Durante, 49.
The bodies were all retrieved in the house of Joana Marie Durante at midnight, two hours after the fire was contained by firemen. (Danny Estacio)