BACOLOD CITY – The Bureau of Fire Protection said that police have held two brothers in connection with the fire that gutted at least 80 houses in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental on Friday night, September 6.
Fire Officer 3 Joseph Earl Solivio, chief arson investigator of the San Carlos City Fire Station, said they were were initially considered as persons of interest and were taken into custody after witnesses said the fire started in their house.

RESIDENTS return to their homes razed by a fire in Barangay 5, San Carlos City, Negros Occidental on Friday, September 6. (Photo courtesy of Mayor Rene Gustilo Facebook)
They were later released after no official complaint were filed against them within the 36-hour reglementary detention.
Solivio said there were speculations that the blaze was caused by a cigarette but this was not confirmed and there were no witnesses.
He said they are still probing the cause of the fire.
One-hundred six families were rendered homeless by the fire that started at around 8:44 p.m. and affected a 3,000-square meter area.
Fire victims were temporarily sheltered in a gymnasium but others have started returning to their homes.
Damage to property was pegged at P750,000.