20140917 Philippines 100 houses destroyed in predawn Cebu fire
Philippines Sep 17 2014 “Houses”
Dead : dead 0 or unknown Burnout : more than 70 Injured : injured 0 or unknown
100 houses destroyed in predawn Cebu fire
Updated: 2014-09-17-12:43
At least 100 houses were destroyed in a predawn fire that hit a residential area in Cebu City Wednesday, with authorities now investigating a suspected drug user accused of starting it.
The fire started in Barangay Camputhaw at about 4 a.m., with firefighters having a hard time getting to the interior, according to a report by GMA Cebu’s Vic Serna.
Residents did not have much time to save their belongings because many of them were sleeping when the fire broke out.
Police arrested one Orlando Mendoza after he was accused of starting the fire, but Mendoza claimed he returned to his house to protect his wife and children.
“Papasok sana ako sa amin kaya lang malaki na ang apoy kaya pinuntahan ko na lang ang asawa at mga anak ko. [Siniguro ko na safe] sila, wala na kasi akong magagawa kundi umiyak,” he said.
But Fuente Osmeña Police Station head Chief Inspector Wildemar Tiu said they are verifying information that Mendoza could have been using drugs and then started the fire.
City fire marshal Chief Inspector Rogelio Bongabong also cited information that Mendoza threatened to set fire to his house if his wife did not return.
“Binantaan niya na kung hindi babalik ang kanyang asawa susunugin niya ang bahay at sa ating initial assessment high siya sa droga,” said Bongabong. — Joel Locsin /LBG, GMA News
Websource:GMA News Online
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/379571/news/regions/100-houses-destroyed-in-predawn-cebu-fire-suspect-held