Blaze razes house in Bulacan as Christmas tree catches fire

Firemen try to extinguish the fire that razed a house in City of Malolos, Bulacan province. (Photo courtesy of Malolos Bureau of Fire and Protection)

CITY OF MALOLOS—A 30-minute fire razed a house here after a child accidentally set a Christmas tree on fire, injuring its owner, authorities said on Tuesday (Aug. 31).

In a belated report, the Bureau of Fire Protection here said house owner Ellen Lazaro Torres suffered from minor burns on her arms due to the blaze that happened at 9:14 a.m. on Sunday.

Investigators said Torres, a kin of local hero Gen. Isidoro Torres, placed the Christmas tree at the second level of the house.

Her 4-year-old grandchild reportedly played with a lighter around the Christmas tree, which caused the fire.

The blaze spread to an adjacent house but was immediately put out.