A 54-year-old man is now facing potential arson charges after he allegedly set his own house ablaze in Mandaue City, triggering a fire that spread and damaged numerous neighboring homes in the early hours of Sunday, December 28, 2025.
Details of the Early Morning Blaze
The fire was first reported to authorities at 1:35 a.m. on Sunday, after it broke out around 1:20 a.m. in Purok 6, Barangay Cubacub, Mandaue City. A swift response came from Police Station 6 personnel, the Mandaue City Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and local barangay officials. The firefighters managed to declare the fire out by approximately 2:40 a.m.
Police identified the suspect only by the alias "Dodong," a single resident of Purok 6 in the nearby Barangay Canduman. According to the initial investigation, the man deliberately poured gasoline inside his residence and ignited it. Authorities stated he was allegedly under the influence of alcohol at the time and voluntarily admitted to starting the fire, claiming his intent was to harm himself.
A Tragic Chain of Events Unfolds
Barangay Captain Alex Borbajo provided a detailed account of the suspect's actions prior to the incident. He revealed that the man had exhibited previous suicidal behavior, including an attempt to take his own life using a tie wire, which was unsuccessful.
"He bought three bottles of gasoline. He paid for only one and asked to borrow the other two," Borbajo explained, noting the suspect purchased the fuel from a nearby seller. "He allegedly told the seller that he was begging for it because he was already planning to kill himself."
The suspect then doused himself and his house in gasoline before using a lighter to start the fire. The flames first caught a bedsheet and rapidly spread to adjacent houses due to the close proximity of the structures. The BFP estimated the total damage to property at around P250,000, with 20 residential structures suffering partial or total damage.
Aftermath and Ongoing Investigation
The suspect sustained second-degree burns on his arms and ankles. After initial treatment at a district hospital, he was transferred to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center for further care. He has not been arrested due to his medical condition but remains under police guard.
Captain Borbajo stated that during questioning, the suspect cited emotional distress as his motive. He claimed to have been deeply in love with a woman who repeatedly rejected his advances, despite his providing financial and material support to her family.
In the fire's wake, barangay officials prepared to evacuate affected residents to a nearby national high school. However, most displaced families chose to stay with relatives instead, with one individual taken in by a local church.
Authorities are continuing their investigation and will file the appropriate charges once the suspect is medically cleared. He is expected to be transferred to the detention cell of Police Station 6 upon his release from the hospital.
