2 die in Puerto Princesa house fire

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan, Philippines – Two persons died in a fire that hit a house in a congested residential area of Barangay New Buncag, this city, shortly before 12 a.m. Monday.

Senior Inspector Rafael Roxas, the police investigator, identified the victims as Jethro Evangelista, 17, and house nanny Gregoria Benitez, 75. Roxas said the bodies were burned beyond recognition and were retrieved from the debris Monday morning.

New Buncag barangay chairman Gerry Abad said the fire of still undetermined origin occurred close to 12 a.m. Monday in the two-story residence of the victims.

Abad said responding personnel of the City fire department managed to contain the fire from spreading to other houses.