A house along Airport Road, Barangay Booy, Tagbilaran City was gutted by fire which broke out at past 9 a.m. on Thursday.

According to arson investigator FO2 Dennis Caluña, the fire at the house owned by seaman Bartolome Palapar and rented by Genelyn Ansao was caused by children playing with a lighter.

This was narrated to Caluña by Ansao’s father-in-law Aprodicio Adecer who was with his two grandchildren who were playing with the lighter inside the house.

Adeser said that his 5-year-old grandson suddenly ran out of the house while his granddaughter, 3, was left inside when the fire started.

No one was injured during the incident as Adeser was able to immediately go in and rescue the girl.

According to Caluña, three fire trucks were deployed to put out the fire which was declared under control at 10 a.m.

Based on investigation, the lighter set fire to a foam bed which quickly spread throughout the house but did not reach neighboring establishments.

This was the second fire incident to hit Tagbilaran City this month. (Allen Doydora)