Elderly woman dies in Taguig City fire

MANILA, Philippines - A fire of still unknown origin razed a one-storey house in Barangay Ususan in Taguig City Friday morning and left a 96-year-old woman dead.

Arson investigators identified the victim as Manuela Buquel, resident of the burned house located along Apag Street.

Initial investigation showed that the fire started at 10:33 a.m. and quickly reached the first alarm.

Responding firefighters from the Taguig Central Fire Station put out the fire at 11:11 a.m.

The cost of damage left by the fire is still being determined by arson investigators.

A search of the house led investigators to the body of Buquel who was trapped inside her bedroom.

Investigators have yet to determine if Buquel was killed by the heat or smoke inhalation.