BACOLOD CITY – A 49-year-old man was injured and 15 houses were razed by a fire in Purok Kingfisher, Barangay 16, this city, before dawn on Thursday morning, August 1.
FIFTEEN houses were razed by a fire in Barangay 16, Bacolod City on Thursday, August 1. (Photo courtesy of Chamber Volunteer Fire Brigade)
Fire Supt. Jenny Mae Masip, city fire marshal, said they did not receive a fire call, but firefighters from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-Rodriguez Baybay substation in neighboring Barangay 35 saw and responded to the fire.
Masip said the blaze broke out around 2:42 a.m. from the house owned by Florentino Sevilla rented by Gerald Arroyo.
The fire destroyed 10 houses and partially damaged five others mostly made of light materials.
Masip said the fire started from a bedroom on the second floor of the rented house.
Arroyo was not at home when the fire broke out as he went out around 11 p.m. on Wednesday, July 31.
Masip said the fire was caused by an overheated ceiling fan. She added that Arroyo would usually leave the ceiling fan on even if he leaves home.
Masip said that a man sustained second-degree burns and suffered difficulty in breathing after he was trapped on his way out when he returned to their house to check on his children.
Two firefighters were able to rescue him after they heard him shouting for help. Masip said the victim was taken to a private hospital here where he was placed in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
The fire reached the third alarm. Fire out was declared at 3:34 a.m. Damage to property was placed at P675,000, affecting 450-square meters.
The fire happened a day after 81 houses were also razed in a coastal area in Purok Kagaykay, Barangay 2 here on Wednesday, July 31.
In a Facebook post, Mayor Albee Benitez here said they are working closely with the BFP to investigate the causes of the two fires. “Our hearts go out to those affected by these tragic events,” he added.
Benitez said the city government is mobilizing all available resources to provide immediate assistance and support to the displaced families.
To guarantee such incidents are prevented in the future, Benitez assured that necessary steps will be taken so that the safety of the people remains their top priority. “Let us come together to support our fellow Bacolodnons during this challenging time,” he said.