House of former Pangasinan governor gutted by fire

DAGUPAN CITY, Philippines — An hour-long fire razed the house of the late Pangasinan Gov. Cipriano “Tito” Primicias Jr. in Sta. Barbara town on Wednesday night.

Inspector Grandeur Tangonan, Sta. Barbara acting police chief, said no one was reported hurt in the fire, which broke out at about 8:50 p.m. Wednesday in Barangay (village) Banaoang.

Tangonan said the house caretaker heard a loud explosion emanating from the ceiling of the house’s second floor.

“When he looked, fire was already spreading fast,” Tangonan said.

The wooden house was built in the 1960’s during Primicias’ term as governor.

Tangonan said that the fire destroyed P2 million worth of property, including a parked pick-up truck.

Primicias’ sister, Marietta Primicias-Goco, said in a telephone interview that her brother’s memorabilia as governor were stored there.

Primicias died of a heart attack on Dec. 3, 2012.