By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

An 83-year-old senior citizen burned herself to death last Tuesday evening at Canlaon View Subdivision in Barangay Blumentritt, Murcia, Negros Occidental.

Police identified the fatality as Lucia Alvarez, a resident of the said subdivision.

Murcia municipal police chief, Police Chief Inspector Roberto Indiape, said the incident happened around 7:00 p.m., when Alvarez reportedly went to her small plantation and poured gasoline all over herself before lighting herself on fire.

Neighbors tried to rescue the victim by putting out the fire and rushed her to the Murcia Municipal Health Clinic, where she later succumbed to fourth degree burns.

Indiape said the victim lived alone, although her two grandchildren were visiting at the time of the incident.

Both reportedly fainted after learning about the death of their grandmother.

The police official added, they cannot divulge the motive behind the incident, but pointed out the family has already ruled out foul play.

Indiape added, the victim’s remains will be subject to a post-mortem examination./DGB, WDJ