Jobless man burns self to death

MANILA, Philippines - A 39-year-old jobless man burned himself to death by emptying a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tank in his room before lighting it, triggering a fire that set his house on fire yesterday in Pasig City.

The charred beyond recognition body of the victim, Ferdinand Dulay, was recovered by firemen at the second floor of his totally-burned residential building located at No. 21-A, San Mateo St., in Barangay Kapitolyo at about 11:45 a.m.

Responding firemen rushed to the scene at about 10 a.m. following reports that fire was engulfing the second floor of the house, which was occupied by the victim.

The fire reached the fourth alarm.

The blaze was put under control after more than an hour.

While firemen were conducting clearing operations, they found the victim’s body in the second floor, where the sound of explosion was heard prior to the fire.

Fire prober FO1 Salvador Norberte Jr. said Dulay, for unknown reason, detached the gas tank from the stove in the ground floor and brought it to the second floor of his house.

He then detached the regulator, emptied it of its gas contents and lighted a lighter to set the house on fire. Damages to property was placed at P200,000.

Norberte said Dulay is staying alone in his house as his father, Basilio, is presently staying in the United States.

The arson prober said Dulay appeared to have committed suicide as the gate and front door of his house were locked from the inside.   – Non Alquitran