By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Six homes were destroyed, while two others were damaged, in a late Wednesday evening fire that struck Purok Sampaguita, Barangay 38, Bacolod City.
According to Bureau of Fire Protection-Bacolod (BFP-Bacolod) Arson Investigator, Senior Fire Officer 2 (SFO2) Archie Españo, their station received the fire call around 8:35 p.m., prompting different fire stations across the city to rush to the scene.
Firefighters managed to control the blaze by 9:04 p.m. and they declared “fire out” approximately 30 minutes later.
Based on the BFP’s initial investigation, the blaze started at a house owned by Glen Celis.
Although authorities are still investigating, Barangay 38 Chairman Gener Agpalo claimed, in a radio interview, BFP is suspecting a leftover anti-mosquito coil as the cause of the blaze.
Two people were slightly injured.
Damage is assessed at around P500,000 with around 15 families affected.
Following the incident, Agpalo opened their barangay hall and covered court to shelter the displaced residents.
The city government will also be assisting in the effort, with the Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) being dispatched to look into the needs of local residents./WDJ