2 die in Zamboanga City residential area fire

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Two died in a fire that razed 15 residential structures here on Sunday morning here.

The fire was a case of arson, according to Supt. Jhufel M. Brañanola, marshal of the Zamboanga City Fire District.

It started at the house of Marilou de la Cruz on J. Johnston Street in Barangay San Jose Gusu at 10:15 a.m.

The arsonist, identified as Rico Turco Vidal, 36, was living in that house, with another man, Tubio Maningo, 51, as a guest.

For a still unknown reason, Vidal stabbed Maningo seven times before setting the house on fire.

They were the only fatalities in the incident.

A firefighter, identified as FO2 Ryan Batayen, was also wounded.

“Vidal intentionally set the house on fire, he committed arson,” Brañanola said. “Our firefighter Batayen suffered laceration on his right knee due to falling GI sheet while conducting fire rescue operation.”

The fire reached the third alarm and cost of damage was estimated at P1.3 million.

Fire was declared out past noon. /atm