BACOLOD CITY – Eighty-one families were rendered homeless in an early morning fire in a coastal area in Purok Kagaykay, Barangay 2, this city, on Wednesday, July 31.
Fire Supt. Jenny Mae Masip, city fire marshal, said they received a fire call at 3:26 a.m., about 10 to 15 minutes after the fire started from the abandoned house of Monaliza Magbanua.

EIGHTY-ONE houses were destroyed in a fire in in Purok Kagaykay, Barangay 2, Bacolod City on Wednesday, July 31. (Photo courtesy of Fire Officer 2 Rolin Paulan/BFP-Bacolod)
Masip said that residents took a while to report the fire to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) as they were busy saving properties and stopping the fire from spreading.
Firefighters had difficulty entering the fire scene in the middle part of the area because of narrow alleys.
Seventy-three houses made of light materials were destroyed and eight were partially damaged.
Masip said that Magbanua’s house was occupied by caretaker Waldo who had been staying for about two months.
Arson investigators said the fire was caused by a burning egg tray used as an improvised mosquito repellant.
Masip said that the fire reached the fourth alarm and augmentation from neighboring fire stations were needed.
Fire out was declared at 4:48 a.m. No injuries were reported. Damage to property was placed at P1.4 million.
The city government has extended assistance to affected households and the Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) is preparing financial assistance for fire victims.
A fire also hit the area five years ago, destroying 200 houses, in 2019.