Woman dies of cardiac arrest as fire gobbles houses in Jaro

By: Jennifer P. Rendon 

AN ELDERLY woman died after a fire hit a residential area in Jaro, Iloilo City early morning of Oct. 15, 2019.

But Chuchi Ventura, 74, did not die of suffocation or fire-related injuries.

Senior Fire Officer 4 (SFO4) Aquilino Sampiano, Bureau of Fire Protection-Iloilo City investigator, said Ventura may have died of cardiac arrest.

She was declared dead on arrival at the Western Visayas Medical Center in Mandurriao.

According to a report, the fire hit Zone 2, Angelo Subdivision in Sambag village at past 3 a.m. Tuesday.

Ten houses were totally gutted while four were partially destroyed.

Initial investigation indicated that the fire may have originated from the house of a certain Jessie Jimenez.

Damage to property was pegged at P135,000.

Twelve hours later, another fire happened at Bagangay Cuartero, Jaro.

The conflagration gobbled six houses and partially damaged another.

Reports claimed that it originated from the house of a certain Faly Celestial.

Damage to property was estimated at P170,000.