Arson eyed in Makati fire

The Makati Fire Department is looking into the possibility that last Saturday’s fire, which killed five people, was a result of arson.

First marshal Arsenio Tabajonda noted in his investigation report that the victims were involved in a dispute over a piece of property along Estrella street in Barangay Bangkal, Makati City.

According to the neighbors of victim Luzviminda Dizon, one of her relatives threatened to burn down her apartment prior to last Saturday’s fire.

Shortly before the fire started, the neighbors of Dizon claimed that they saw the victim’s relative in the vicinity and watched the entire incident from the sidelines.

Dizon, along with her four children, died after they were trapped inside their apartment during the blaze.

Tabajonda revealed that the victims died from carbon monoxide poisoning and that it probably took less than five minutes since they were all sleeping at the time of the incident.

He added that the fire started at a make-shift kitchen located in front of Dizon’s apartment unit at the end of an alley. The area which served as the common garage of the tenants.

In a related development, Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay has instructed city officials to immediately conduct inspections on all residential areas to look for any illegal structures, similar to that involved in the Makati fire.

Binay directed the Fire Department and the City Engineer’s Office to assist in the inspections and see to it that all of the illegal structures that are considered fire hazards are removed.

"I want each house and building inspected thoroughly and I want these makeshift kitchens, car repair shops, eateries and other illegal structures dismantled immediately," Binay said.

All of the concerned officials and offices were required to submit a report within five days. – Marvin Sy