The Bureau of Fire Protection has initially concluded that the fire that razed the residence of Brgy. Capt. Leandro de la Torre in Murcia , Sunday, was caused by faulty electrical wirings.

De la Torre, who is facing frustrated murder charges, in connection with the injury of Mary Ann Marañon on Oct. 28 last year claimed he has witnesses to prove that it was an arson case.

He said the fire started around his house and not at the ceiling, citing testimonies of his neighbors, and an 11-year-old boy who had been awakened and asked to leave by one of four armed suspects.

Murcia BFP arson investigator FO2 Sanerlo Legaspi said that, while they have stated that it was triggered by an electrical short circuit, they have not yet interviewed the 11-year-old who was in the house at the time, and other witnesses.

De la Torre further said that Mayor Esteban Coscolluela, BFP investigators and the Murcia police had a “pulong-pulong” before proceeding to the fire scene, for reasons he was not aware of.

Coscolluela said he does not believe it was arson, because properties of value like two vehicles parked in the compound were not set on fire.

De la Torre placed the damage on his residence at P1.5 million.

The 11-year-old witness and his father, yesterday sought assistance from Board Member Patrick Lacson who offered his house for the boy to stay in.

De la Torre and Pandanon Silos Kagawad Jose Magsico traded accusations for the injury of Marañon, who, with several others, happened to pass when the alleged ambush incident took place in the barangay, a night before the Oct. 29 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.

Senior Supt. Rosendo Franco, provincial police director, said they are still conducting a thorough investigation of the incident because of alleged involvement of armed men, although the BFP had reported it was caused by faulty electrical wirings.*GPB

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