Probers are still busy conducting an investigation into the real cause behind the huge conflagration that erupted on Dec. 23, 2022 along Gallares street in Poblacion 2 here in Tagbilaran City.
In a radio interview on Dec. 27, 2022, over Open Forum program, Senior Fire Officer 4 Oscar Bual of the Tagbilaran Fire Station said that the probers are still looking for more pieces of evidence related to the cause of the fire that affected 300 persons in the area.
However, he did not give a clear answer whether or not he has heard unconfirmed reports or rumors that the fire that broke out, 2 days before Christmas day, was indeed a case of arson.
There are some rumors circulating and saying that the fire was indeed a case of arson. When the truth of this rumor was asked from deputy chief of police of Tagbilaran, Capt. Jojo Hinlayagan during the Open Forum interview on Dec. 27, 2022, Hinlayagan said that he also heard of the same rumor but as of press time, the police are still continuing with the investigation regarding the matter.
Hinlayagan continued by saying that all angles, including arson, are being considered in the list of motives behind the fire incident affecting not less than 75 families.
Another report indicates that the National Bureau of Investigation is reportedly going to join in the investigation now going on regarding the fire that erupted on Dec. 23, 2022 at Gallares street, barangay Poblacion 2.
Meanwhile, Ken Requeron, one of the fire victims who was interviewed over Newsmakers ug Uban Pa on Dec. 28, 2022 said that the NBI is now actively participating in the investigation of the fire incident. Requeron also said that he heard rumors pointing towards the possibility that the incident is a case of arson.
Requeron, during the interview said that 3 people who are allegedly entangled in an apparent love triangle may be involved in the alleged case of arson as investigators continue to gather pieces of evidence regarding the incident.
Requeron added that most of the residents, including his wife and 3 children, escaped from getting scorched by jumping into the sea.
Requeron, who is a staff member of Cong. Edgar Chatto’s office team said that he forgot about how dangerous it was to jump from his house to the seawaters as his main concern was to go away from the fire site and save his life and the lives of his family. According to him, it was a battle between the fear to jump and the possibility of getting burned.
Requeron did not fail to acknowledge the quick response from the city government officials’ group led by Mayor Jane Yap including the first responders from the divers’ team and the rescuers from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office headed by Dr. Anthony Damalerio.
Other reports say that authorities are also looking into electrical trouble and misuse of gas lamps as some of the reasons behind the fire.
As of now, probers are still gathering testimonies from the residents and from possible witnesses who could provide clues as to the real cause of the fire that happened a few days before Christmas.