Son who ‘burned’ own house arrested

CEBU, Philippines - A 25-year-old son was arrested after “burning” their house in Sitio Upper Suran, Barangay Kinasang-an, Cebu City yesterday.

Jerome Nazareno was arrested by the police after their house was razed down by the morning fire he himself reportedly instigated.

Senior Fire Officer 1 Ramon Molina of Cebu City Fire Department said the alarm was received 10 a.m. and was raised to first alarm.

The fire was declared under control 10 minutes after and declared fire out at 10:35.

Molina said the fire spread immediately to the adjacent structures and totally burned the two-story house owned by Romeo Nazareno and Jean Nazareno, suspect’s parents.

Molina said the fire started on the second floor of the house and left P40,000 in estimated damages.

No person was reportedly injured during the incident.

Senior Police Officer 3 Rene Barral, desk officer at Pardo Police Station, said Jerome had threatened to burning their house down prior to the incident.

Jerome, who was alone in the house that time, was seen by their neighbors exiting the house as the fire started devouring the structure.

Barral also said the police are not disregarding the possibility that the suspect is drug-dependent.  (FREEMAN)