Mother, son killed in Malate fire

MANILA - It will be a sad Christmas for some families in Malate after fire razed 50 houses and killed a mother and son in Barangay 745 Tuesday. The fire started at around 1 a.m. and quickly spread. A bucket brigade was formed to battle the blaze. Residents quickly evacuated but 90-year-old Rosario Garcia and her 60-year-old son, Rodolfo Castro, could not be found. Relatives said the two were blind and have difficulty walking and were trapped in their home. The blaze was placed under control at past 3 a.m. The charred remains of mother and son were found after a fire out was declared at 4 a.m. Residents suspect the fire may have been started by a cigarette from one of the victims. ANC HEADSTART, December 24, 2013