By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
At least 12 houses were destroyed following a blaze that broke out at Purok Kahirup B, Barangay Mansilingan in Bacolod City, Saturday morning.
Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) lead arson investigator, Fire Officer 3 (FO3) Cornelio Silva, said they initially received a call from residents around 8:45 a.m.
Firefighters rushed to the area and found the blaze had already spread to neighboring houses as they are mostly made of light materials.
The blaze lasted for a total 40 minutes before a “fire out” was declared.
Initial estimates claimed around 14 houses were destroyed, which was later reduced to 12.
Based on eyewitness accounts, a loud explosion was heard near the house of a certain Radney Javello.
Investigators managed to pinpoint the origin of the fire at Javello’s residence.
BFP estimated damages totaling P300,000.
Families affected by the fire are currently being housed at the Barangay Mansilingan multi-purpose hall and the barangay public gym.
Authorities and other local civic groups in the city also distributed relief aid to those displaced by the blaze./DGB, WDJ