By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Following the blaze that devastated the residential area of Purok Calong-Calong, Barangay Singcang-Airport, last Friday afternoon, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-Bacolod asked the public to be more careful.
While the BFP has yet to determine the cause of the fire, reports suggest it may have originated from a barbeque inside the kitchen of a certain Irene Sanz.
BFP-Bacolod Fire Marshall, Fire Superintendent Rodolfo Denaga, suggests, when using charcoal fire, always make sure the remaining flames are put out. He suggests dousing it with water.
He also suggested to have electrical installations checked regularly, adding electrical equipment should also be unplugged upon leaving the house and, if possible, switching off the main electrical circuit.
“I also advise the public to always keep one big container of water or sand as a precaution, so it could be used to fight small fires,” Denaga said.
The fire marshall noted candles and kerosene lamps must not be left unattended and should be kept away from flammable items, such as curtains.
He also reminded the public to use either 911 or call the Bacolod Fire Station at 434-5022 to 23 in the event of an uncontrollable situation.
Meanwhile, Bacolod City Lone District Rep. Greg Gasataya and Bacolod City Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran visited evacuated families who are currently being sheltered in a nearby chapel, and distributed relief goods.
The blaze, which started around 12:25 p.m. last Friday, gutted 13 houses and severely damaged three others, with property damage estimated at P500,000. A grandmother died during the blaze due to a heart attack, while two others suffered minor injuries./WDJ