A 67-YEAR-OLD trisikad driver was killed after he got trapped in his burning house in barangay Inayawan, Cebu City last Tuesday night.
Police said a lighted candle may have caused the fire that struck the house of Celso Serad in sitio Dumpsite.
Police said the man had been using candles at night since the house had no electricity.
SPO3 Felomino Mendaros said investigators learned that prior to the incident, the man had a drinking session after receiving his cash assistance as a senior citizen from the city government.
The man lived alone in the house after he and his live-in partner separated.
The fire alarm was received at 10:11 p.m. Firefighters contained the fire in 20 minutes. Three other houses were damaged.
Rescuers had a hard time retrieving the body since the house was surrounded with iron scraps and fabrics.
Cebu City Acting Mayor Edgardo Labella said burial assistance will be given to the victim’s relatives.
“The city will extend the family whatever means we can to help them,” said Labella, who visited the fire site yesterday.