Retired teacher, granddaughter dead from fire in Zamboanga del Norte

ZAMBOANGA CITY—-A retired teacher and her granddaughter died after being trapped in a fire that hit their house in Barangay Poblacion in Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte on Wednesday, the police said Thursday.

Chief Inspector Helen Galvez, spokesperson of the Western Mindanao police, said the charred remains of 71-year-old Martina Ruferos Toledo, and her granddaughter, 15-year-old Marcelle Abby Toledo, were recovered from the debris when the 11 p.m. fire was subdued.

“The fire arson investigator of (the Bureau of Fire Protection) said the possible cause of the fire was an unattended candle,” Galvez said.

The entire town of Siocon had been without electricity for three weeks now because of the onslaught of Tropical Storm “Vinta” last year. Julie Alipala