CEBU CITY, Philippines — A 59-year-old woman was killed after she was trapped on the second floor of their house that was engulfed by fire on Tuesday afternoon in Minglanilla town, about 15 kilometers south of this city.
The body of Astrella Panuncia, who had suffered a mild stroke, was found near the window by firefighters.
Astrella was alone inside their house in Phase 3, Deca Homes, Barangay (village) Tungkil, Minglanilla when the fire of still unknown origin broke out about 3:55 p.m.
Her housemaid Erlinda Dorino was washing clothes on the ground floor while her husband, Luis Pedro, and their children were out at work.
Niece Analie Artes said her aunt might have tried to get out of the house but passed out and was eventually suffocated by the thick smoke.
She lamented that Astrella might have been saved had their neighbors helped them. They also complained about the slow response of the firetrucks.