AN eight-year-old girl died after she tried to rescue her dog inside the burning family home in Barangay Don Andres Soriano, Toledo City shortly before Wednesday midnight.
Ritchel Jane Laborte was sleeping with her six-year-old brother Reil Klyle and 13-year-old cousin Marvin del Rosario when the fire broke out at 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, said acting Toledo City Fire chief Leonardo Clarido.
Clarido said del Rosario first noticed the fire and woke up Reil Klyle and Ritchel, their uncle Noel Sarno and live-in partner Mary Anne Salpan at the adjacent room.
All of them got out of the house until Ritchel realized that her Chihuahua was left behind. She reportedly rushed inside the house but failed to get out anymore because the fire was spreading fast.
Their grandmother Luzviminda Sarno who slept in their store just located at the back of the house, was brought to the hospital after she fainted on learning about Ritchel’s death.
Ritchel and Reil Klyle are under Luzviminda’s care because the children’s father is in jail for an undetermined offense while their mother died a few years ago.
Ritchel’s charred remains were found from the debris along with the remains of the dog. Damages were pegged at P20,000.