A woman who is eight months pregnant and her husband sustained burns in their bodies that caught fire while they were grappling for a gasoline container inside their house in Purok Aspa, Brgy. Aguisan, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental at about 7 p.m. Monday.

Merlita Arsellas Lipalam, 34, who is pregnant with her fourth child, was rushed to the Binalbagan infirmary after sustaining third degree burns in her feet and right arm, and other minor burns, Himamaylan PNP case investigator PO3 Venancio Espora Jr. told the DAILY STAR yesterday.

Merlita's husband, Raymond, 36, whose hands were burned, was brought to the Hinigaran District Hospital, Espora said.

Espora said initial investigation showed that Merlita fetched her husband who was drinking with his friends, a few meters from their house. On their way home, Merlita allegedly nagged her husband, which may have irritated him, Aspora said.

When they arrived at their house, Raymond grabbed a gasoline container and poured some of its contents on the floor, which prompted Merlita to grab it, Espora said.

The couple were grappling with the gasoline container about three-meters away from the hearthstone when the fire from the oven caught the gasoline and burned them.

Neighbors rescued the couple and rushed them to the hospitals, Espora said.

Neighbors told the police the couple often argued but they did not expect such to lead to the burning incident.*DMG

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