Farmer arrested for causing Rizal garage fire; 12 vehicles destroyed
A 40-year-old farmer was arrested by the police for inadvertently causing a grass fire that destroyed a garage containing 12 vehicles in Barangay Pinugay, Baras, Rizal, on March 22.
According to the Baras Municipal Police Station, the suspect, identified as alias "Dennis," was reportedly setting garbage on fire near a grass field in Sitio Kapatagan when its flames scattered and caused a huge grass fire that engulfed a garage with 12 vehicles parked inside it.
A mechanic working at the garage immediately notified the Baras Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) of the incident, prompting them to respond to the area and extinguish the blaze.
Arson investigators pegged the amount of damage to property at around P500,000.
Meanwhile, witnesses positively identified Dennis as the one who accidentally started the grass fire, which led to his arrest.
Police said the suspect will be charged with reckless imprudence resulting in damage to property.