A 16-year-old boy with autism, John Ric Hiligan, died after being trapped in their burning home on Joaquin Santiago Street, Barangay Malanday, Valenzuela City on Monday, January 5. He was left at home with his two younger siblings while his mother was in Caloocan and his father was driving a jeepney.
The brothers tried to rescue John Ric but he refused to go and remained inside the burning house. His body was found on the first floor after the second floor where he was initially trapped collapsed.
The fire may have started with a lighter that the victim was using as a tranquilizer, according to the father. The mother, who last saw her son at midnight, was deeply saddened, and the family approached the city government to ask for help with the cremation and reburial.
According to the Malanday BPSO, four families were displaced and are currently staying in modular tents set up by the barangay. Parents are advised to supervise their children and avoid playing with fire.
