Arson suspect in CDO fire surrenders

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The alleged suspect in the fire incident that occurred in Sitio Sta. Cruz 2, Barangay Lapasan, surrendered to Mayor Rolando “Klarex” Uy during the weekly KUYug ta sa Serbisyo sa Baryo (KSB) Program in Carmen on Saturday.

The fire incident, which affected nearly 400 residents and damaged close to 90 houses, was allegedly caused by arson.

The fire hit a sitio below the hilltop complex of the Northern Mindanao regional headquarters of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Sitio Sta. Cruz 2, Barangay Lapasan, shortly before dawn Friday.

The fire, which broke out at about 2:55 a.m. at the house of Carol Gamutan, spread rapidly through Sitio Sta. Cruz 2, below the hilltop complex of Camp Alagar, the regional headquarters of the PNP. It was placed under control at about 6 a.m.

A series of explosions was heard as the fire swept through houses made of light materials in the area.

Responding firefighters were unable to enter the area due to illegally parked vehicles blocking access to the residential area.

Firewalls prevented the fire from spreading farther uphill toward the complex where Camp Alagar is located.

Firefighters interconnected their hoses to battle the blaze, which was placed under control at about 6 a.m.

No one was injured in the fire. Initial investigation showed that witnesses saw a man throw an eco bag onto the terrace of a two-story house owned by Gamutan.

Gamutan told BFP investigators that her former live-in partner, identified as Delmore, was seen near her house before the fire broke out.

She said she and her daughter slept at a neighbor's house after her former live-in partner allegedly harassed her following the end of their relationship earlier this month.

“Some witnesses saw my former live in party near my house before the fire broke out” she said.