CEBU, Philippines - Four residential houses were razed by fire while another one was partially burned yesterday dawn after a 22-year-old man set his clothes on fire in Salinas Drive, Barangay Lahug, Cebu City out of anger to his friend.
The fire allegedly started at the room of Geneses Becher at 2:30 a.m. on Sunday. It was raised to first alarm and was declared under control 20 minutes later.
Senior Fire Officer 1 Geoffrey Solon, fire investigator, said Becher allegedly started the fire. He was reportedly depressed and had locked himself in his room for several days already because he was angry at his friend for not visiting him anymore.
Becher’s mother, Genevieve, told the investigator that her son was angry at his gay friend.
He was reportedly heard saying, “Puslan man nga ing-ani, maypa sunogon na lang ni,” before the fire broke out.
Genevieve said she later noticed a smoke coming out from her son’s room. The fire immediately spread to the neighboring houses. No one was injured and the damage was pegged at P150,000.
Becher was arrested and is now detained at the Ma-bolo Police Station pending the filing of the criminal complaint for arson.
“Apil man kuno ang inahan ato nga mopapriso. Pero mahibaw-an pa ni kung ipadayon gyud niya ug katong sa mga silingan nila,” said Solon. (FREEMAN)