San Marcos Fire Victim Suspects Arson After Home Destroyed

A late‑night fire has left San Marcos resident Ambrosio Teul without a home and frustrated over the absence of police and village leaders at the scene. 

Teul said the fire broke out around 10:30 Thursday night, consuming a thatch house on his property. He managed to save some belongings, but rain soaked much of what was rescued.

He believes the fire was deliberately set. “It came on from both sides,” he said, adding that he heard a motorcycle leaving the area after the blaze was already underway. 

“No police came to assist me, no village chairman or alcalde came to see me or try to ask me what happened,” he said. Teul added that when he contacted the police station, he was told to go in and file a report himself. “I don’t know if that’s right,” he said.

Teul said he does not know who would want to target him. “I am a good person. I don’t see why they would do something like this to me,” he said.

In a press release issued in response to News Five’s inquiry, village leadership said the chairman, members of the village council, and the alcalde all responded to the scene the same night after receiving a phone call about the fire.

“Along with some members of the Village Council and the Alcalde, we responded quickly to the situation,” the release states, also extending appreciation to community volunteers who helped put out the fire.

The leadership said they advised Teul to file a police report to help determine the cause of the fire. They also described the community as peaceful, while acknowledging that “individuals continuously seek to disrupt the peace and order.” 

The statement further addressed criticism circulating on social media, warning that leaders are “documenting all individuals involved in spreading false information” and may pursue legal action where necessary. “Going on Facebook to attack leaders and spread false information will not solve anything,” it said. 

One San Marcos resident wrote online that “there is no more peace in the village, the village leaders are chaotic, corrupt, no action has been taken, people’s lives are jeopardised.”

Leadership did not address in its statement why Teul says no one has spoken with him since the fire.

Teul is seeking help from anyone willing to assist. He can be reached at 652-5864.