ILOILO CITY — A 24-year-old criminology graduate who was preparing for his board examination died after being trapped in a fire that gutted their family’s workshop in Barangay Balabago, Jaro early Sunday morning.

The victim was identified as Rustom Ancieta, the third among eight siblings.

Initial investigation by authorities indicated that Ancieta may have been asleep when the fire broke out, preventing him from escaping the burning structure.

His father, Angelito Ancieta, said he was awakened by another child who alerted him that their workshop was already on fire. When he checked, flames had rapidly spread across the area.

The elder Ancieta admitted that in the immediate aftermath, he was relieved to believe that no one from the family had been hurt or trapped.

However, during a more thorough search, they later discovered Rustom’s charred body inside the workshop.

The father believes his son may have attempted to get out but was possibly suffocated by smoke and pinned down as the fire intensified.

Rhea Ancieta, the victim’s 26-year-old sister, confirmed that Rustom had been drinking with friends and arrived home past midnight.

She said this may have contributed to his delayed response when the fire broke out.

Rhea added that she was unable to immediately look for her brother as she prioritized bringing her two young children, aged one and four, to safety.

Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.