Woman, 96, dies in QC fire

MANILA, Philippines - A bedridden woman died when a fire struck her home in Quezon City Tuesday afternoon.

Firefighters managed to break into the burning house to rescue 96-year-old Sagundina Pascual. She was rushed to a nearby hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival, according to city fire marshal Senior Superintendent Bobby Baruelo.

Baruelo said the blaze gutted the two-story house owned by Pascual’s son-in-law Lidio Salvatierra, 66, in Barangay Greater Lagro at 5 p.m.

Housemaid Marra Castillo managed to get Lidio’s five-year-old daughter out of the house, leaving behind the old woman.

The fire was declared under control two hours later.

 Damage to property was estimated at P1.5 million. The fire also destroyed a neighbor’s house.