A FIRE hit two pension houses in Barangay Guizo, Mandaue City, Cebu on Friday, May 29. (Contributed photo)
CEBU CITY – A German national was killed in a pension house fire in Barangay Guizo, Mandaue City, Cebu on Friday, May 29.
Fire Officer 1 Ronald Ajero of the Mandaue City Fire Office identified the victim as Thomas Hans Schiemmer, who was believed to be in his 70s.
Ajero said the fire struck two pension houses.
The victim was a guest of the pension house destroyed in the fire. The other pension house was partially damaged.
Investigation showed that the fire started in the stock room of the pension house where the foreigner checked in at 4:04 a.m.
Investigation showed that the victim was on the second floor and tried to run down but suffocated from the thick smoke and fell from the second floor.
Reports said the victim reportedly managed to get out of the pension house unscathed but returned to his room to retrieve important belongings.
The fire was put out at 5:24 a.m. Damage to property was estimated at P8.7 million.
Arson probers are conducting follow-up investigation.