A man in the Philippines, allegedly consumed by jealousy after his wife left him for another man, lost control and set his own house on fire using gasoline. The blaze quickly got out of hand, spreading to more than 300 homes, forcing about 600 families to evacuate. The incident resulted in 2 deaths and 1 person missing.
According to the Manila Bulletin, the incident occurred on Wednesday (25th) shortly before 5 p.m. in the densely populated Maisan residential area of Tondo, where a major fire broke out and quickly escalated to a four-alarm level, sending thick black smoke billowing over Manila.
Due to the high population density and tightly packed houses in the area, the fire raged for more than 6 hours. Firefighters from multiple departments battled the blaze until about 11:30 p.m., when it was finally declared extinguished.
The incident led to at least 300 houses being destroyed by fire, with around 600 families being forced to evacuate at the height of the blaze. The estimated loss is about 1.5 million pesos (approximately 101,100 ringgit).
Reports stated that the fire caused at least 2 deaths, both of whom were elderly people; one may have died from excessive shock. Firefighters and rescue personnel are still searching the ruins for the whereabouts of one missing person.
Authorities and witnesses said the suspect, nicknamed “Burnok” and in his 30s, had previously been imprisoned multiple times for robbery. He had only just been released on bail the night before the incident.
Allegedly, upon returning home, he found his wife had left and eloped with another man. In a rage, he rushed out, only to return holding a container of gasoline. He then splashed gasoline around and inside his fourth-floor home, setting it alight.
The fire quickly spread upward to the roof and then to the surrounding tightly connected houses. Due to the densely arranged residences, the flames spread much faster than residents could react.
Angry neighbors, before the police arrived, surrounded and assaulted the suspect, nearly beating him to death. Officers from the Manila Police District later arrived at the scene and arrested him.
The suspect is currently under investigation on charges of arson and endangering public safety. Local officials are coordinating rescue and resettlement efforts to provide emergency relief to affected residents, the majority of whom are students, workers, and vendors from Tondo.
Due to the high population density and tightly packed houses in the area, the fire raged for more than 6 hours. Firefighters from multiple departments battled the blaze until about 11:30 p.m., when it was finally declared extinguished.
The incident led to at least 300 houses being destroyed by fire, with around 600 families being forced to evacuate at the height of the blaze. The estimated loss is about 1.5 million pesos (approximately 101,100 ringgit).
Reports stated that the fire caused at least 2 deaths, both of whom were elderly people; one may have died from excessive shock. Firefighters and rescue personnel are still searching the ruins for the whereabouts of one missing person.
Authorities and witnesses said the suspect, nicknamed “Burnok” and in his 30s, had previously been imprisoned multiple times for robbery. He had only just been released on bail the night before the incident.
Allegedly, upon returning home, he found his wife had left and eloped with another man. In a rage, he rushed out, only to return holding a container of gasoline. He then splashed gasoline around and inside his fourth-floor home, setting it alight.
The fire quickly spread upward to the roof and then to the surrounding tightly connected houses. Due to the densely arranged residences, the flames spread much faster than residents could react.
Angry neighbors, before the police arrived, surrounded and assaulted the suspect, nearly beating him to death. Officers from the Manila Police District later arrived at the scene and arrested him.
The suspect is currently under investigation on charges of arson and endangering public safety. Local officials are coordinating rescue and resettlement efforts to provide emergency relief to affected residents, the majority of whom are students, workers, and vendors from Tondo.