A 46-year-old housewife was burned beyond recognition when a fire believed caused by a lighted candle razed their house at the height of typhoon “Basyang” in Barangay Malinta, Valenzuela City early Wednesday.

Supt. Filemon Porciuncula, district chief, Medico Legal Office of the Crime Lab of the Northern Police District, identified the fatality as Mercedez Pe.

Firemen and operatives of the Scene of the Crime (SOCO) led by Insp. Avelino Andaya discovered the victim’s body after the fire broke out at about 6 a.m. at the victim’s house located in St. Jude Subd. Malinta, Valenzuela City.

No other house in the area was hit by the fire, arson probers said.

The probers said the victim and her sister were inside their house when the fire started.

Virginia, the victim's sister, allegedly rushed outside to seek their neighbor's help, leaving the victim inside. When she returned, the fire had already engulfed the house, preventing her and their neighbors from entering.

Arson probers said the victim and her sister were allegedly using a candle inside their house because of Wednesday’s power failure due to the widespread damage wrought by typhoon “Basyang” in the Metro Manila.

A strong wind might have caused the candle fire to light the curtain, triggering the fire, probers said.