4 persons hurt in Zamboanga City fire

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Four persons were wounded in a fire that broke out on Monday night in Tugbungan village here.

Superintendent Jhufel M. Brañanola, district fire marshal of the Zamboanga City Fire Department, said Abdulpatta Pamaran Maruji, 55, of Barangay Malinis in Lamitan City started a fire inside his rented room at Nangka Store in Barangay Tugbungan on Monday night around 6 pm.

Three residential units made of concrete and semi-concrete materials owned by the Araneta family were totally damaged.

The damage was estimated to reach around P1.5 million, according to fire officials; though the police estimated the cost to reach P5 million.

One of the room renters, Dovie Biazon, 30, said he tried to put out the fire inside Maruji’s room but the latter attacked him with a bolo.

Senior Inspector Shellamae Tubo Chang, spokesperson of the ZCPO, said Biazon, who suffered four hack wounds fled from Maruji, who was still running after him when he saw the couple, Jeremia Baya and wife Lovielyn, whom he also attacked.

Later, SPO2 Anthony T. Huesca happened to pass by on his way home and managed to neutralize Maruji, Tubo-Chang said.

The suspect, who was hit on his arm by the police’ issued firearm, received first aid before he was brought to the Zamboanga City Medical Center.

His son later confirmed he was a ward 9 patient and was still taking his maintenance medications.