Probers eye arson in Tuguegarao hotel fire

TUGUEGARAO CITY-Aside from the short circuit due to electrical wiring, the panel of investigators is looking into arson as a possible motive in the hotel fire that killed 16 people. Acting city fire marshal Supt. Jesus Fernandez told reporters on Thursday that arson has been one of the possible motives in the fire that engulfed the Bed and Breakfast Pension House on December 19. The fact-finding team members from the Justice department, fire bureau and police have uncovered oil residues from the first and second floors of the building. The probers also noted the narrow passageways leading to the different floors of the hotel. Another building gutted by fire Meanwhile, another building in Tuguegarao was razed by fire on December 22. It reportedly took fire protection workers about an hour to put out the fire at the residential building owned by Jason Espinosa of Barangay Centro 10, Tuguegarao. No one was reported hurt or killed in the incident. City councilor Kendrick Calubaquib told GMANews.TV that the fire probably started from a lighted candle that razed the curtains and burned the wood-based second floor of the building. Espinosa reportedly failed to pay his bill and the Cagayan Electric Cooperative linemen cut off the power supply to his building. – VVP, GMANews.TV