BACOLOD CITY – A 35-year-old man allegedly set his family’s house on fire following a misunderstanding with his stepbrother in Sitio Relocation 1, Barangay Bantayanon, Calatrava, Negros Occidental on Monday, July 8.

Fire Officer 1 Manuel Ardo, arson investigator of the Calatrava Municipal Fire Station, said the suspect Leonardo was arrested after he was seen by his mother allegedly pouring gasoline on their house and setting it on fire.
Ardo said the stepbrother confronted the suspect after he saw him allegedly kicking his child.
The suspect was irked and threatened his stepbrother that he will torch their house.
The stepbrother did not mind the suspect and instead left to avoid escalating the conflict between them.
Ardo said that the stepbrother was surprised when he learned that their house was already on fire.
Damage to property was pegged at P180,000. No injuries were reported.
The suspect was charged with arson on Tuesday, July 9.