About P1 million in properties turned to ashes when a Canadian national set his house in Brgy. Cabug, Bacolod City, on fire before attempting to commit suicide by strangulating himself Sunday.

Michel Noel, 67, of Valley Homes Subdivision is now confined at the Bacolod Adventist Medical Hospital but it depends on his wife if she will file arson charges against him, Bacolod fire marshal, Chief Insp. Bartolome Biliran said yesterday.

Chief Insp. Placido Gentoleo, station 9 commander, said Senior Police Officer 1 Ariel Sevilla, who was in the area, saw Noel strangling himself and immediately untied the electrical cord tied around his neck.

Biliran said a concerned citizen informed them that Michel had set his house on fire at about 5:55 p.m. Three fire trucks from the BFP were deployed to the area and were assisted by those of the Amity and the Chinese Chamber fire volunteer brigades, he said.

The fire, that reached first alarm status, was put out at about 6:20 p.m. with no reported injuries, as Noel’s wife and house helpers were able to get out before it had spread, Biliran added.

Investigation conducted by Fire Officer 3 Cornelio Silva showed that Noel, who was allegedly under the influence of liquor, poured gasoline on his room and set it on fire after a heated argument with his wife, Pedlin.

Biliran said information they received, showed that it was not the first time that Noel, a retired Canadian armyman, tried to commit suicide.*APN

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