Laborer who started fire denied bail

A 36-year-old laborer accused of starting the fire in San Juan which gutted some 150 houses estimated to cost P7 million last Oct. 7 was denied bail yesterday by the Pasig City regional trial court.

State Prosecutor Nestor Lazaro said there is strong evidence against the suspect, Wilfredo Alvarina, a resident of 183 Tuberias Street, Barangay San Perfecto, San Juan, to warrant the filing of an arson case against him.

Alvarina, said to be a drug addict, was arrested shortly after he allegedly started the fire in his neighborhood. He is now detained at the San Juan municipal detention center.

Arson probers said Alvarina sustained second-degree burns on his left hand.

Investigation revealed Alvarina and his companions were having a drinking session when he accidentally bumped a lighted lamp causing kerosene to spill. The fire started when Alvarina allegedly flicked a lighted cigarette to the floor. His neighbors, using pails of water, tried to put out the fire but strong winds fanned the flames towards nearby houses made of light materials. – Non Alquitran