Jealous Ex-Con Pours Gasoline on His Own House After Wife Leaves Him — Burns Down 300 Homes in Intramuros, 600 Families Displaced
One man's jealousy just destroyed an entire neighborhood. A massive four-alarm fire tore through Barangay 655 in Intramuros, Manila on Wednesday afternoon, February 25, destroying at least 300 houses, displacing around 600 families, and causing an estimated ₱1.5 million in damages. And it was all allegedly started by one ex-convict who couldn't handle being left by his wife.
According to Barangay 655 Chairman Johny Yacub, the suspect — identified only as alias 'Burnok' — had just been released on bail the night before the incident. Residents said he poured gasoline on his own house after learning that his wife had left him for another man. The flames quickly spread to neighboring homes in the densely packed residential area at the corner of Cabildo and Anda Streets.
The fire started around 4:28 PM and was eventually raised to a four-alarm blaze, requiring firefighters from multiple stations to respond. Photos from the scene showed thick black smoke rising above the historic walled city as residents fled carrying their pets and whatever belongings they could grab. It was a chaotic evacuation in one of Manila's most densely populated areas.
Angry residents didn't wait for the police — they reportedly confronted Burnok at the scene and physically assaulted him before officers were able to take him into custody. He is now under investigation for arson and reckless endangerment. Given the scale of destruction, those charges could get significantly more serious.
Local officials are now coordinating relief for the displaced families, many of whom are students, workers, and small vendors who depend on the Intramuros area for their livelihoods. Nakakalungkot — 600 families lost their homes because of one person's selfish rage. The fire happened on the same day as the EDSA People Power anniversary, making it an especially bitter February 25 for the residents of Barangay 655.
Source: Manila Bulletin
