PIAT, Cagayan -- A man was arrested and charged on suspicion of arson following a fire that gutted two houses, including the suspect’s own house, in Brgy. Calaoagan this town.
The police said the suspect, Noli Gregorio, had been referred to the personnel of Bureau of Fire Protection for inquest proceedings docketed under NPS No. II-02T-INQ-225-0 in Piat, Cagayan
The respondent was turned over to Piat Police by the elements of Bureau of Fire Protection, Piat Station for custodial purposes.
The suspect’s house got burned at around 2 p.m. on Thursday (March 30) in a fire that also gutted another house owned by his father, Loreto Gregorio.
Noli’s wife and her sister filed the complaint. The wife alleged that she saw her husband pour crude in their kitchen where fire allegedly started.
“Nakita ng asawa ni Noli na siya ang nagbuhos ng krudo sa kanilang kusina kaya nagsimula doon kumalat na ang apoy at silay umalis papalayo; nagtawag ng saklolo,” investigator told Manila Bulletin.
“Nadamay din ang bahay ng tatay na si Loreto, kaya dalawang bahay nasunog, “ the investigator added.
It was also learned that the suspect was under influence of liquor when the incident happened.
Upon the alert of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) of Piat, firefighters in the town responded immediately to the place, but failed to put the fire under control because the houses were made of light materials and that the fire spread quickly. The fire lasted for 30 minutes.