ORMOC CITY — A 58-year-old school principal was found dead inside his home, reportedly suffocated after a fire ignited by an unattended cellphone charger early Saturday morning, Jan.24, authorities said.
The victim, identified as alias “Dolfo”, a resident of Brgy. Malihao, Hinabangan, was discovered inside his bedroom after smoke was noticed by a neighbor around 8:50 a.m. Responding personnel from the Hinabangan Fire Station and Municipal Police Station (MPS) said the fire had been declared out by 9:08 a.m., but the lifeless body was lying near the bedroom door.
According to investigators, a neighbor, alias “Bin”, noticed smoke and alerted the victim’s nephew, alias “Erbi”. When Erbi tried to open the door, he could not, forcing it open and encountering thick smoke and the victim’s body.
The Hinabangan MPS coordinated with the Scene of the Crime Operations (SOCO) for a post-mortem examination, after which the body was taken to a funeral parlor in Catbalogan City.
Fire officials continue to investigate the incident, estimating damage at around P250,000.
Authorities said preliminary findings suggest the fire originated from a cellphone charger left unattended inside the bedroom.
(ROBERT DEJON)
