Fire razes 8 houses in Capiz

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz — Eight houses were damaged in two separate fire incidents Monday, May 18, in Barangay Adlawan, Roxas City, and Sapian town.

Four houses were totally burned, while another was partially damaged after a fire broke out Monday evening in Barangay Adlawan here.

According to Adlawan Punong Barangay and concurrent Liga ng mga Barangay President Maaw Roldan, the four houses were owned by aliases Joeriz, Joe Rowie, Cyril, Jestony, and Joenel, a barangay treasurer.

The cause and origin of the fire have yet to be determined, as the houses were adjacent to one another.

A certain alias “Dodoy” was injured after he was hit by a roof pulled by rescuers.

The affected residents evacuated to the barangay hall, which served as their temporary shelter, while the Bureau of Fire Protection in Roxas City conducts an investigation.

There were allegations that the fire was intentionally set by one of the house owners for an undetermined reason.

Cyril Tumasa, one of the victims, believed the fire was intentionally set by his nephew, identified as alias “Joshua.”

He recalled that at about 4 p.m., before the conflagration, a heated altercation ensued between their families, during which alias “Joshua” allegedly warned and threatened to burn their house.

That statement was heard by some neighbors, he added.

A few minutes later, a fire broke out and spread to other adjacent houses.

The BFP Roxas City placed the initial damage at PHP 137,500 while its investigation continues.

Meanwhile, three houses were razed Monday morning, May 18, in Barangay Poblacion, Sapian, Capiz.

The house owners were identified as siblings Arman Baes, Amando Baes, and Andy Baes.

Information from the BFP Sapian showed no one was inside the houses, which were made of light materials, when the fire broke out.

Arson investigators placed the damage at PHP 46,000.