Fire razes apartment in barangay Sambag I

CEBU - Properties estimated to be worth P350,000 were reduced to ashes after a fire hit an apartment yesterday along P. del Rosario Street in barangay Sambag I at past 11:00 a.m.  

Cebu City Fire Marshal Esmael Codilla revealed that based on their initial investigation, they were able to gather pieces of evidence that would point at arson as the motive of the fire that hit the Rañeses Apartment.

This after authorities discovered that a portion of the apartment’s second floor smelled of gasoline during the fire.

He further said that they have already forwarded the ash samples and other debris of the said fire incident to the National Bureau of Investigation-7 experts for examination.

Investigation further revealed that the apartment was being rented by Maricar Sioco who alleged that one of her boarders, Marvin Abingosa, was the culprit.

Further, investigation disclosed that the fire broke out from Abingosa’s cabinet, which was full of garments, around three minutes after he had left the area.

Sioco also said, during the investigation, that prior to the incident an altercation ensued between her and Abingosa when she confronted him of his rental fees which have not yet been paid for seven days already.

Abingosa then promised to return to settle his obligations but failed, Sioco added.

Cebu City Fire Department investigator SFO2 Alicasim Espenola, in an ocular investigation, disclosed that the second floor of the apartment undoubtedly smelled of gasoline. — Niña Chrismae G. Sumacot/MEEV