THE Cebu provincial government will extend assistance to the family of Estrella Panuncia, the retired nurse who died in the fire that hit her house in Minglanilla town last Tuesday afternoon.
In a text message sent to Cebu Daily News, acting Cebu Gov. Agnes Magpale said they will send cash assistance along with canned goods, noodles and rice to Panuncia's family.
Staff of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development (PSWD) visited the family in Minglanilla town to determine what other assistance could be given to them.
Fire investigators found the 59-year-old Panuncia inside her room.
She had major burns on her legs, arms and body and was believed to have suffocated.
The fire in Minglanilla started at 3:55 p.m. last Tuesday in the Deca Homes Subdivision Phase 3 in Barangay Tungkil.
FO2 Rafael Basabe said Panuncia turned 59-years-old a week before the accident.
He said the victim may have slept inside her room on the second floor when the fire started.
A witness told Basabe he saw Panuncia approach her room window and called for help.
But Panuncia, who suffered from partial paralysis after a stroke, was unable to escape. /Correspondent Carmel Loise Matus