DOJ extends probe on Cagayan hotel fire

By Charlie Lagasca

TUGUEGARAO CITY – The fact-finding team tasked by President Aquino to investigate the hotel fire that killed 16 people, including 10 male nursing graduates downtown here has extended its deadline by 10 days.

The Department of Justice-led probe team was originally given 15 days or until Jan. 4 to wrap up its investigation and recommend the filing of charges against those who possibly committed lapses that led to the tragedy at the Bed and Breakfast Pension House last Dec. 19.

“We still have many witnesses lined up for interrogation,” said DOJ prosecutor Emerito Quilang.

The fire was one of the deadliest that hit the country last year which led some of the victims’ relatives to blame the fire department and local officials for the death of their kin.