BACOLOD CITY – A four-year-old girl was killed in a fire in Barangay 1, San Carlos City, Negros Occidental on Saturday, March 15.
A FIREMAN battles a blaze in Barangay 1, San Carlos City, Negros Occidental on Saturday, March 15. (Screengrab from Jun Kalaw Orilla Facebook video)
Fire Officer 2 Neil Bantillo, chief arson investigator of the San Carlos City Fire Station, said 26 houses were totally destroyed and one was partially damaged in the fire.
Bantillo said that the victim was sleeping with her grandmother and two siblings when the fire broke out.
The victim's six-year-old sibling managed to run out of their house and the grandmother carried her two grandchildren.
The victim was left behind, prompting her to rescue the victim, but failed as the fire has spread.
Bantillo said the victim was found trapped inside their bedroom during mopping-up operations.
A neighbor was injured saving her valuables.
Bantillo said the fire reported at 3:03 p.m. originated from an empty house. The owner was attending a funeral when the fire began.
Damage to property was placed at P375,000. Fire out was declared at 4:37 p.m. Cause of the fire is yet to be determined.
Bantillo said that the fire was the biggest in the area in the past years.
Fire victims are temporarily staying in an evacuation center and the city government and barangay have provided assistance to them.