Phantom Maelstrom

California, USA - To some, the Christmas Lantern (Tagalog: Parol) is a symbol of light and hope, particularly to Christian Catholics, however, to some, it's a symbol of death. According to a recent news posted Dec. 30, an elderly Filipina woman in Southern California got killed by the symbol of Christmas - a Christmas Lantern.

Authorities said 91-year old Dorie Feliz Pozas was killed at around 9 a.m. on Christmas Day, after apparently brushing up against a lit candle in her Pacoima Senior Living Facility.

Firefighters reportedly forced their way into Pozas' apartment at the Pledgerville Senior Citizen Villa on Sunday morning after a visitor noticed smoke coming from it.

They found her body badly burned and her clothes still smoldering.

Pozas allegedly lit a candle for a Christmas lantern, which authorities say may have set her nightgown on fire.