BACOLOD CITY – Ten houses were destroyed in a fire in Ditching Subdivision, Barangay V, Victorias City, Negros Occidental on Monday, February 19.
A FIRE razes 10 houses in Barangay V, Victorias City, Negros Occidental on Monday, February 19. (Photo courtesy of Chamber Volunteer Fire Brigade)
The Bureau of Fire Protection-Victorias reported that nine houses were destroyed and one was partially damaged.
Fire Officer 1 (FO1) Dave Kevin Duaban, arson investigator, said the blaze broke out at 2:54 p.m. from a vulcanizing shop.
Duaban said the shop owner and his two grandchildren were at home when the fire occurred. They were able to get out before the fire grew bigger, he added.
Duaban said the fire spread to neighboring houses made mostly of light materials.
Neighboring fire stations augmented fire response which lasted for more than an hour.
Duaban said that 16 families were affected and temporarily sheltered at the barangay gymnasium.
Fire out was declared at 4:08 p.m.
He said they are probing the cause of the fire and initially looking at electrical as a possible reason.
The city government has extended assistance to fire victims.
The fire left an estimated P750,000 worth of damage to property.