Girl saves family, but dies in QC fire

MANILA, Philippines - A 14-year-old girl, who woke up her family and helped them get out of their burning house, was killed after she went back into the house and tried to save their belongings in Quezon City before dawn yesterday.

April Rose Pelico died in her parents’ two-story home on Republic Avenue in Barangay Greater Fairview, Senior Fire Officer 1 Francisco Mabunga said.

Mabunga said there were differing accounts of Pelico’s actions, but a relative said the girl alerted them to the fire. After they had evacuated from the house, the girl reportedly ran back, he quoted the relative as saying.

The relative added that one of the girl’s uncles tried but failed to prevent her from returning to the house, Mabunga said.

The blaze started just before 2 a.m. and destroyed at least P100,000 worth of property before it was put out around 30 minutes later.

Mabunga noted that the house was without electricity. He said FO1 Rosendo Cabillan has been tasked to handle the investigation of the case to determine what caused the fire and if there was any foul play involved.