‘Sick’ man dies in Cabatuan fire

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A man who was reportedly suffering from an illness died in a fire in Cabatuan, Iloilo, on the morning of Sept. 3.

The body of the 50-year-old, identified only as alias Anthony, was found at an abandoned house in Barangay Talanghauan, Cabatuan.

Senior Fire Officer 4 Jimboy Pacardo, Cabatuan Bureau of Fire Protection acting fire marshal, said they received the fire call at around 8:34 a.m. Wednesday.

When they arrived eight minutes later, the blaze had already been put out by residents.

Pacardo said the cause and origin of the fire are still being investigated.

An initial probe showed a lighter could have been used to ignite the fire from the house’s living room.

The house had no electrical connection after it was abandoned in 2022.

Pacardo said they have yet to determine if the fire was intentional.

Anthony’s wife, Nerisa, is not discounting the possibility that her husband deliberately set the house on fire.

Anthony was reportedly suffering from colon cancer.

The couple had been living in San Dionisio town and went on vacation at Anthony’s parents’ house, about 50 meters from the scene, four days before the incident.

Nerisa said she left home Wednesday morning for work.

Anthony allegedly told her, “indi mo na ako di karon maabtan.”

She said she replied by telling him to wait for her by 4 p.m.

Meanwhile, BFP-Cabatuan said damage to property was pegged at PHP 7,350.