BACOLOD CITY, Philippines?The death toll in the fire that razed a boarding house here on Monday has risen to 17.
City fire chief Pamela Rojane Candido said the body of Annavic Celiz, 26, was found yesterday.
Celiz?s family also died in the fire. They were her common-law husband Joselito Cabajosa and their children?Carl Joshua, 3; Analyn, 7; and Adah Pauline, 6.
The fire started from an unattended lit candle and spread, destroying at least 59 houses.
Candido said the fire began on the first floor where Gloria Abrigo, 59, was staying. Abrigo is at the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital, suffering from burns in over a quarter of her body.
The fire prompted officials to inspect and close illegal boarding houses.
Officials declared the village where the fire took place under a state of calamity.
Mayor Evelio Leonardia declared a week of mourning until Nov. 8 for the victims.
