A drunk man allegedly set his own house on fire in Barangay Malueg, Dagupan City on Tuesday afternoon, leaving about P300,000 worth of property in ashes.

Residents rushed to put out the flames along Tamayo Road before firefighters arrived.

“Hindi namin talaga mapasok yung lugar kasi masikip. Hindi kayang maipasok yung mga fire truck kaya ang ginawa is naglagay na lang tayo ng mahabang hose para makapag-conduct tayo ng fire suppression doon sa mismong bahay,” FCInsp. Lakan Jun Eland Wanawan, marshal of the Dagupan City Fire Station, said.

Witnesses said the man, who owned the house, admitted he started the blaze while intoxicated.

“Nasabi nga nila sa akin na may lasing nga, yung may-ari ng bahay. Naabutan ko pa doon na nagwawala. Nagsasabi siya na wala siyang pakialam kahit na masunog yung bahay niya kaya nanggaling na rin mismo sa kaniya na siya ang nagsunog nga bahay nila,” Barangay Malueg chairperson Filipina Delos Santos said.

A neighbor, Marvin Castro, recalled the suspect telling him that “may tao raw… tao na nagpaparinig daw sa kaniya tapos dinidibdib niya.”

The fire lasted for nearly an hour but caused no injuries. Police have taken the homeowner into custody and are preparing charges against him.