71-year-old killed in fire

CEBU, Philippines – A septuagenarian who was left alone was charred to death after a fire razed their house past 12 noon yesterday in Barangay Tomonoy, Moalboal town.

Neighbors of  Dionisio Omagac, 71, tried to pull him out from the burning house but failed.

Emersiana, 69, Dionisio's wife, allegedly left the victim to visit their daughter, whose house was just nearby.

When Emersiana heard of the fire, she hurriedly went back to their house.

However, it was already too late and she could not save her husband.

Initial investigation revealed that the fire started after an electrical explosion past 11 a.m. on Friday.

Residents nearby saw the old man inside his room so they destroyed the wall of the house made of wood.

But the neighbors could not reach Dionisio, who reportedly had difficulty in walking following a heart attack, since the fire has already spread.

Arson investigators believe that an explosion was triggered by an electrical short circuit that caused the fire. —/ATO (FREEMAN)