By CESAR JOLITO III

A residential fire that caused an estimated P2.88 million in damages in Negros Occidental’s Victorias City is now being linked to an alleged intentional burning incident involving a female renter, initial reports and police investigation suggest.

The fire broke out at 10:30 p.m. on May 30, at Block 4 in Barangay 7’s Fermont Village, reportedly during a fiesta celebration in Purok Malinong.

Authorities identified the suspect as Ruby Joy Quindap, who was reportedly one of the renters of the property owned by Josephine Pante.

Based on accounts and radio interviews, the incident allegedly stemmed from a heated situation after the woman was disturbed by loud sound system noise coming from a nearby covered court directly in front of their residence.

It was further alleged that Quindap later set fire to a curtain in the kitchen area of the house, which quickly escalated and engulfed the structure in flames.

The residential building housed three families, identified as the Pante family, the Javoc family, and the alleged suspect, all of whom were affected by the fire.

Javoc also claimed that police immediately arrested the suspect following the incident.

Allegations of illegal drug use were also mentioned by witnesses, though these claims remain unverified.

The Victorias police and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) responded to the incident.

Firefighters declared the blaze “fire out” at approximately 10:55 p.m.

John Jeff Basa, chief investigator of BFP-Victorias, said the cause of the fire remains under investigation, even as initial reports point to a possible intentional act.

Authorities confirmed that the fire caused an estimated P2,884,000 in property damage.

No fatalities were reported, but the incident left three families displaced and affected./CCJ, WDJ