Girl, 13, dies in Batangas fire

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Philippines — A 13-year-old girl died in a fire  that razed their house in Lipa, Batangas at dawn on Wednesday.

In Laguna, 24 families were left homeless in a similar incident that occurred on the same day in Biñan.

Meagan Aicel May Gabuna, 13, was asleep when the fire broke out at around 3:40 a.m.

Gabuna’s relative, Jersey Ortega, told probers that she was awakened by the noise coming from outside and saw smoke in their house located in Barangay San Carlos.

Ortega said she woke up her relatives, but forgot the victim, who was sleeping in another room.

Arson probers said an unattended candle in the victim’s room could have caused the blaze. Fireout was declared at 4:50 a.m.

Meanwhile, a defective appliance was believed to have caused the fire in Barangay Sto. Tomas in Biñan.