BACOLOD CITY – Thirty-nine families or 117 individuals lost their homes in fire in a residential area on Mabini-Luzuriaga St., Purok Paghidaet, Barangay 29, this city, on Tuesday, December 26.
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-Bacolod said that seven houses were destroyed and six were partially damaged.

FIREMEN battle a blaze in a residential area in Barangay 29, Bacolod City, on Tuesday, December 26. (Photo courtesy of Chamber Volunteer Fire Brigade)
The fire reportedly started in the house of Marites Logronio at around 5:07 p.m., the BFP said, and left an estimated P1.8-million worth of damage to property, affecting 1,000-square meter area.
Fire out was declared at 5:54 p.m. and arson investigators have yet to determine the cause of the fire.
Alma Gustilo, officer-in-charge of Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD), said that the city government has provided food packs to affected residents temporarily sheltered at the Mabini Elementary School.
Gustilo said that financial assistance will be released to the fire victims next year as they need to conduct an assessment first.
Meanwhile, two families were affected in a fire that destroyed a house and partially damaged another in Purok Malvar Cubay, Barangay Villamonte, here, at 1:41 p.m. on Wednesday, December 27.
Fire out was declared at 1:58 p.m. Estimated damage to property was P36,000.