Teen dies in San Juan fire

MANILA, Philippines - A teenager, reported to be a special child, died in a one-hour fire that broke out at the apartment the victim’s family had been renting in San Juan City Thursday.

The body of Emerald Bacay, 16, was discovered by firefighters in a room of the apartment, owned by a certain Editha Edralin, on Paraiso street in Barangay Corazon de Jesus at around 4:56 p.m. Thursday, according to Inspector Gilbert Dolot, San Juan fire marshall.

Strong winds fanned the fire toward an adjacent house and a warehouse.  The entire neighborhood tried to put out the blaze with pails of water but failed.

Neighbors claimed the victim tried to escape by running out of the apartment, but turned back. According to reports, Bacay was left alone in the apartment as other family members went to post bail for their father, who was arrested on unspecified charges.