2 die in Camarines Sur hotel fire

Two people were found dead inside their room that got burned at a hotel in Goa town in Camarines Sur province in Bicol Wednesday night, even as police suspect possible foul play.

Investigators are verifying witnesses' statements that a sound of a woman crying and an explosion occurred before smoke came from the victims' room, GMA Bicol's Kaye Botastas reported.

"Parang may nag-away kasi umiiyak yung babae. Naririnig nung (roomboy) pagkatapos naririnig ng nagche-check-in sa katabing kuwarto na nagkalabugan. Tapos nag-order ang lalaki ng pagkain. Hindi naman binigyan ito kasi may utang pa. So after hindi binigyan, ayun kasunod nun sumabog," hotel owner Manuel Uy said.

An initial investigation identified the victims as Rommel Clariño, 43, and live-in partner Jona Iraola, 22.

Roomboys allegedly saw Clariño bringing cartons of what looked like gasoline containers.

Police said they are not discounting the possibility Iraola was already dead when the fire broke out.

"Sa initial investigation, may foul play kasi nakitaan sila na hindi naka-panic position," said investigator PO1 Rowena Requita.

Iraola's father Rosendo said the couple may have had a problem after their business failed, but added he did not expect this to happen.

Meanwhile, investigators recovered from the scene two sachets of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) and two bottles of wine. — Joel Locsin /LBG, GMA News