SAN ILDEFONSO, Bulacan – A 75-year-old grandmother and her two granddaughters were charred to death when they were trapped inside their burning house shortly after midnight on Monday in Barangay Lapnit this town.
Senior Fire Officer 4 Roniel Galvez, chief fire marshal here, identified the fatalities as Zenaida Peraña and her granddaughters Donalyn Pacunla de Guzman, 12, and Zafae Celedonio, 6.
Arson investigators said that the charred bodies of the three victims were found embracing each other inside the comfort room.
Investigators said the fire started at around 12:10 a.m. last Monday.
The house was made of light materials, the reason why the fire that started downstairs spread fast, according to arson investigators. They theorized that the victims might hurriedly run to the comfort room thinking they would be safe there.
Investigators believed the fire was caused by faulty electrical wiring based on residents’ claim that they smelled burning electrical wire prior to the incident.
The fire damaged around P200,000 worth of property, investigators said.
Mayor Carla Galvez-Tan said she will shoulder the burial expenses of the three victims. (Freddie C. Velez)
