Family of 4 die in Ilocos fire

SAN NICOLAS, Ilocos Norte, Philippines – Four members of a family, including a 93-year-old woman, died in a fire that destroyed their house here Friday night.

Rosalina Capalungan; her son Inocencio, 68, and grandsons Winch John, 10, and Bheejay, 5, reportedly failed to get out of their burning house in Barangay 1.

Town police chief Senior Inspector Rodelio Santos said an unattended candle could have sparked the blaze.

Santos said the fire started in Rosalina’s room, where her remains were found. Inocencio and the children were found in a tight embrace in the next room.

Relatives said Rosalina prays and lights a candle in her room every night.

Inocencio’s nephew, Sherwin, told probers that he heard the victims crying for help, but it was impossible to save them as the fire had engulfed the house.

Arson probers have yet to determine the amount of damage caused by the blaze.

On Thursday, two houses were destroyed in a fire that hit the nearby town of Piddig. No one was reported killed or injured in the blaze that was believed sparked by a faulty electrical wiring.

Meanwhile, in Tuguegarao City’s business district, a fire destroyed a department store Thursday night.

City police Chief Superintendent Jessie Tamayao said the blaze started at the Novo department store at around 6:50 p.m. and spread to adjoining establishments along Gonzaga and Bonifacio streets. 

No one was reported injured or killed in the incident. – With Raymund Catindig