Man, left by wife, sets daughter's house afire

A despondent man yesterday morning set his daughter's house on fire in sitio Nonoc, barangay Tabunok, Talisay City, but suffered second degree burns in his legs and feet as a result.

Felimon Amodia, 50, who lives nearby, was believed to be drunk at the time and, according to his daughter Kathy Amodia Cabañero, was too despondent and angry at her for not obeying him in convincing her mother to return home.

Her mother left Filemon two weeks ago to live alone in Minglanilla because she could not bear anymore his beatings every time he gets drunk, said Cabañero.

Cabañero told the police her husband had just left for work when Filemon entered her house, poured liters of gasoline inside and set the place ablaze.

As the house caught fire, Cabañero and her four children quickly ran out, but her father Filemon was left trapped inside when he reportedly slipped on the floor as he tried to follow them out.

Neighbors immediately came to douse the fire but failed to save the appliances, all worth P45,000, that were burned. They then beat up Filemon who further suffered cuts and bruises on his face and body.

Responding city policemen subsequently took Filemon to Talisay District Hospital for treatment. - Flor Z. Perolina