ELEVEN houses were destroyed in a fire in Barangay 10, Bacolod City on Wednesday, Feb. 11. (Chamber Volunteer Fire Brigade)
BACOLOD CITY – A 21-year-old woman was injured and 38 residents lost their homes in a fire in Purok Magti-ayon, Barangay 10, this city, on Wednesday night, Feb. 11.
The fire that destroyed 11 houses occurred less than a month after a blaze struck the area in January.
Fire Insp. Jemarie Tapiru, deputy city fire marshal, said that a walk-in informant reported the incident five minutes after the fire broke out around 9:38 p.m.
The fire originated from the house occupied by two siblings. One of them sustained a laceration on the right middle finger.
Tapiru said the blaze was raised to second alarm at 9:45 p.m., with all units on standby.
Six houses were totally and five others were partially damaged.
Fire out was declared at 10:05 p.m. Damage to property was P75,000.
Tapiru said that an open flame from an unattended lighted candle was the cause of fire. She added that the house had no electricity for a month. House owners were not in their home when the fire struck.
She advised the people to never leave their homes or sleep with lighted candles.
Displaced residents are temporarily staying in the evacuation center, multi-purpose gymnasium, and their relatives, according to Barangay 10 Captain Melvin Bravo.
The Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) has extended assistance, including psychological intervention, to fire victims.