Four young children died in each other’s arms as their house caught fire while their mother ran out to buy pizza.
Victoria Santiago, two years old, Josué Santiago, four years old, Yamilet Santiago, eight years old, and Josira Santiago, 11, were trapped in their home when an electrical fire broke out.
His mother, Sarai Santiago García, was on her way to pick up dinner when the fire broke out, while his father, Eliseo Torres Salce, a truck driver, was out of town.
As plumes of smoke rose from the property, children began screaming for help, prompting neighbors to call emergency services.
Nearby residents attempted to create a hole in a wall using hammers and mallets to free them, but the brothers were unresponsive when they were led out of the house.
Victoria Santiago, two (right), Josué Santiago, four (center left), Yamilet Santiago, eight (left), and Josira Santiago, 11 (center right), could not leave the house because an electrical fire broke out.
The paramedics who arrived at the scene were unable to revive the children. An electrical short circuit is believed to have started the fire.
Authorities believe the victims had nowhere to flee because the entry and exit routes were blocked by furniture.
As soon as Sarai heard the news of the fire, she hurried back home and discovered that her children had died.
Rescuers said one of the brothers who had Down syndrome was found in the arms of his brother and sisters.
Autopsy reports on the four children showed that smoke inhalation was the cause of their death, according to the Mirror.
Authorities believe the victims had nowhere to flee because the entry and exit routes were blocked by furniture.
Mother Sarai Santiago García was on her way to pick up a pizza when the incident occurred while her father, Eliseo Torres Salce, a truck driver, was out of town.
Prosecutors also launched an investigation into Sarai, alleging he was negligent.
But the heartbroken mother responded to the criticism and issued a statement saying she “would not wish this pain on anyone.”
‘Everyone can judge my life and say what they want, but my babies were all I had in this damn life,’ Sarai said.
‘I worked, lived and suffered so that they did not lack anything and unfortunately they are no longer there, a pain that I do not wish on anyone. And he who is without sin, let him cast the first stone.’
After the news of the catastrophe reached Father Eliseo, he also wrote a message on social networks
The heartbroken mother responded to the criticism and issued a statement saying she “would not wish this pain on anyone.”
After the news of the catastrophe reached Father Eliseo, he also wrote a message on social networks.
‘Half of our lives are in heaven, those little ones who did not deserve to leave so soon and whom we miss with all our being.
But God is lucky to have them with him. In the meantime, I will take care of mom until the day we meet again,” said the grieving father.
Authorities have not clarified whether the investigation is still ongoing or concluded without charges.
