A LATE night fire damaged a small house and killed an 80-year-old grandmother in the upland sitio of Bunga, barangay Libertad, Bogo City, northern Cebu yesterday.
Amada Fernan Andrino, who lived alone, was dragged by her son out of her burning house but she was already dead.
“We were able to get her body out but she already acquired severe burns. Her son who lives a few meters away from the house of the victim, tried to put out the fire but was too late in saving her,” said PO2 Alexander Ancao Jr., Bogo City Police investigator.
The Bogo City health officer said the victim died of asphyxia or suffocation.
Ancao said a homemade cigarette made of tobacco and leaves of “lomboy” (Java Plum) could have started the fire.
Ancao said the damage to property was at least P1,000.
He said Andrino had been bedridden for months after one of her legs swelled up.
“The fire started right at her feet where clothes had piled up. She might have improperly disposed of the butt which caused the fire.
We also recovered some lighted matchsticks thrown at the lower area of her house with other cigarette butts,” said Ancao.
Her grandson was the first to notice the victim’s house was on fire at past 11 p.m.
Ancao said the grandson was awakened by the crackling noise of the fire.
Ancao said the victim could have escaped the fire, if not for her swollen limb. Andrino was lying on a mat when her son attempted to save her.