Drunk man sets house on fire; 150 shanties razed

Some 150 shanties in a squatter’s colony in San Juan were razed yesterday by a fire believed set by a drunken man.

No one was injured but it left some P5 million worth of property destroyed, firemen said.

Reports of the San Juan Fire Department showed the blaze started at about 12:30 a.m. at the house of one Wilfredo Semillano, 36, on Tuberas street in barangay San Perfecto.

Semillano was later detained at the San Juan police station following accusations from his neighbors that he deliberately set his house on fire. He is now facing arson charges.

Before the fire broke out, Semillano reportedly had a drinking bout with a certain Rolly Salio, 30, in his house.

Investigators are trying to determine the real cause of the fire but Semillano’s neighbors said they believe Semillano set his house on fire as he was under the influence of drugs and alcohol.– Sheila Crisostomo