Arson eyed in Tondo fire that killed 6

MANILA, Philippines — A man accused of deliberately setting fire to a house in Tondo, Manila, last week that killed six people, including three children, has surrendered to Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso.

However, 48-year-old Eduardo Loteyro denied the allegation, saying he gave himself up only because he heard that operatives of the Manila Police District were looking for him in Binangonan town, Rizal province.

Despite his denial, he will still face charges for consummated arson.

According to Fire Insp. John Joseph Jalique, chief investigator of the Manila Fire Department (MFD), the suspect also lived in the two-story house where the fire broke out on Thursday morning.

The blaze killed 36-year-old Odessa Conde as well as her three children age 10, 9 and 8. Two neighbors also died while six others, including Conde’s husband, were injured.

The fire left around 40 families homeless after raging for nearly five hours.

Jalique clarified, however, that the MFD had yet to question Loteyro about his possible involvement in the fire although he remained in the custody of the police.