Girl, 15, dies in Lipa blaze

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines – A 15-year-old girl died in a fire that gutted their house in Lipa City, Batangas before dawn Sunday.

Vergelyn Leyesa was reportedly trapped in their house in Barangay 2.

The fire broke out at around 1:40 a.m., said Lipa City police chief Superintendent Jacinto Malinao.

Leyesa’s mother Grace was rushed to a hospital after she suffered difficulty in breathing.

Five other members of the family were rescued by responding firefighters.       

Malinao said an unattended candle sparked the blaze.  

Fire out was declared at around 3 a.m. while damage to property was estimated at P500,000.