By Glazyl M. Jopson
BACOLOD CITY – An 87-year-old man died, while two others, including his live-in partner, were injured in a fire in Pantalan-Daan, Barangay 1, Hinigaran, Negros Occidental, past midnight Wednesday.
The victim was identified as Jose Lademora.
His live-in partner, Regina Liasos, 43, and her 93-year-old mother, Angelita Liasos, sustained burns in the incident.
Fire Officer 2 Carlos Colimbo, arson investigator of the Hinigaran Municipal Fire Station, said they received the fire call at around 12:50 a.m.
Colimbo said Lademora was trapped inside the burning house and was unable to escape due to his age.
Regina attempted to rescue him but was unsuccessful due to falling debris.
Colimbo said Regina and her mother, who owns the house, sustained second-degree burns.
Investigators believe the fire started at the altar and may have been caused by an unattended candle.
The blaze also destroyed the house of their 35-year-old neighbor, Jaime Nugpo.
The fire caused an estimated PHP20,000 in damages.
Authorities declared fire out at 1:50 a.m.
