Authorities have taken into custody a man identified as alias “Pame,” who is suspected of setting his own house on fire along North Bay Boulevard South (NBBS) in Navotas City, as reported by RH Edwin Duque.

The fire broke out past 10:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 20, in Barangay NBBS Proper.

The blaze spread rapidly, destroying 13 houses and leaving an estimated 57 families homeless.

According to the Navotas City Police Station Pol. Gen. Renante Pinuela the suspect is currently under police custody while authorities await the final fire investigation report from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)–Navotas. Police said the report will serve as the basis for any formal charges to be filed.

Police official Pinuela stated that while several residents in the area have accused alias “Pame” of deliberately starting the fire, allegedly due to drug use. However, the Philippine National Police (PNP) will not draw conclusions until the BFP’s final report is released.

The suspect is being held temporarily, not only for investigation, but also for his own safety, as residents affected by the fire have reportedly expressed anger over the incident.

Meanwhile, the Navotas City local government unit (LGU) has assured the affected families that assistance will be provided, including relief goods and other forms of support as they recover from the tragedy.

Authorities continue to coordinate with concerned agencies as the investigation into the cause of the fire remains ongoing.