A MAN believed to be mentally unstable was blamed for the fire that razed three houses and damaged two others in Purok 8, Barangay Kamputhaw, Cebu City on Friday morning, Feb. 15.

Firefighters responded to the alarm after they received it at 9:23 a.m. The fire was declared out at 9:38 a.m.

FO3 Nelson Daculan said the fire started in the house of Visitacion Mendo.

Residents pointed to Alex Sanchez, 51, as the one who started the fire when he burned himself.

“A relative of his told us that he (Sanchez) had been experiencing personal problems and had threatened to commit suicide. Sanchez was a former detainee of the Cebu City Jail in Barangay Kalunasan,” Daculan said.

Sanchez’s burned corpse was found during the clearing operation.

Despite the residents’ claims, investigators still had to determine if Sanchez burned himself or if the house he was in was burned. (from AYB of Superbalita Cebu, JKV)