Ex-inmate torches own house in Las Piñas

MANILA, Philippines - A man allegedly set his own house on fire Sunday night when his wife refused to take him back after he was released from prison earlier that day.

The fire reportedly started by Jun Bernardino, 40, spread to neighboring houses and left around 40 families in Pamplona 1 homeless, Senior Fire Officer 4 Roberto Nullan said.

According to Nullan, Bernardino was despondent after finding out that his wife, Edna, 38, no longer wanted to resume their relationship and that she already had a new lover. It is not known whether the lover was staying in the Bernardinos’ house.

Edna reportedly did not contact her husband during his stay in the Pasig City Jail on homicide charges.

“However, we are still checking with Pasig City Jail officials if (Bernardino) release was legal,” Nullan said.

He added they are conducting a follow-up investigation on the incident, particularly on how Bernardino started the fire.

Nullan said Bernardino is in police custody and will be charged with arson.

Initial investigation showed that a resident called up the police and reported that a fire broke out at a shantytown along Trinidad street. Reports stated the blaze started at Bernardino’s house at around 11:17 p.m.

The fire was put out at about 2:12 a.m. after 15 firetrucks rushed to the scene.

Nullan said around five people were injured. Philippine National Red Cross volunteer Andrelyn Basilio, 21, sprained her right foot, while resident Alfredo Espenido sustained first-degree burns.

Residents Ronald Rivera, 33; Armando Malang, 47; and Teofilo Raboja were also wounded in the incident.