AID for Bacolod City fire victims. (Mayor Greg Gasataya FB)
BACOLOD CITY – Mayor Greg Gasataya has visited families displaced by a fire on Friday to assess their condition and assured them of support from the city government.
He thanked the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for providing relief to residents.
Bacolod Rep. Albee Benitez delivered immediate food aid and assistance to displaced families.
He stressed the need for a prompt response during emergencies and pledged continued support as residents work to rebuild their homes.
“In times of crisis, it is important that we respond quickly to ensure that affected families have food on their tables and the support they need,” Benitez said in a statement, assuring victims that aid would continue throughout their recovery.
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) is looking at electrical ignition due to arcing as the cause of the fire that displaced more than 200 families in Purok Katilingban, Barangay 39.
Fire Insp. Jemarie Tapiru, deputy city fire marshal, said 112 houses have been affected – 103 were completely destroyed and nine sustained partial damage.
Tapiru said the fire started in the storage room of a boarding house.
An electrical wire was installed through a hole in the roof and strong winds caused the wire to repeatedly hit the roofing material, resulting indamage, sparking, and eventual ignition.