97-yr.-old grandma dies in San Mateo, Isabela house fire

San Mateo, Isabela - A 97-year-old woman died in a house fire on Sunday, January 7, 2024, in San Mateo, Isabela.

Local media reported that the victim, identified as Saturnina Guray, was trapped when the fire broke out around 2:00 p.m. on that day.

The burned house belongs to a certain Ligaya Tungpalan.

Upon notification of the incident, members of BFP San Mateo and BFP Ramon assisted in extinguishing the fire. It was declared "fire out" around three o'clock in the afternoon on January 7.

Preliminary investigations by the police suggest that the incident might have been caused by a lighter used by the victim's grandson.

Police mentioned that the child was observed playing with a lighter when the blaze occurred, as reported by the victim’s neighbors.

So far, no other casualties have been reported, and authorities are currently conducting further investigations.