BAGUIO CITY, Philippines - A 66-year-old mother and her 33-year-old autistic child died after being trapped inside their burning home on Wednesday afternoon.
The authorities identified the fatalities as Rafaela Racquel Lutgarda Sabado and daughter Sharon Fatima.
The charred bodies of the victims were found by the firefighters inside the comfort room of their home along Roxas Street, Purok 1, Imelda Village.
Fire investigators said the fire could have been sparked by an unattended candle. The fire broke out at around 3:15 p.m.
Investigators said that the victims' neighbor Roberto Bakisan heard the two shouting for help while thick smoke billowed from Sabado's home.
Instinctively, Bakisan ran towards the burning house to save the victims, but the main door was locked.
The Sabados were preparing to transfer to a new home when the fire struck.
Orlando Sabado, 65, said he left his wife and daughter between 9:00 a.m. and 10 a.m. preparing their belongins for their transfer to a new home.