By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The ancestral house owned by the grandmother of Negros Occidental third district Rep. Alfredo Benitez was completely destroyed yesterday following an early morning blaze along Osmeña Avenue in Victorias City.

Authorities identified the owner of the home as former Victorias City Mayor Remedios Bantug.

Based on information provided by arson investigator, Senior Fire Officer 1 Stephen Pedraha of the Victorias City-Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the fire call was reported around 1:20 a.m.

The fire initially started in a room reportedly occupied by Victorias City Councilor Abelardo Bantug III and quickly spread throughout the structure.

Several BFP units and fire volunteer brigades from Bacolod City, who were responding to a separate fire incident in Cadiz City, were diverted to Victorias City.

The fire ravaged the home for another 45 minutes before a “fire out” was called before 3:00 a.m.

Investigators have yet to determine the cause, although they noted the fire spread quickly because the second floor was made entirely of hardwood, while the ground floor was made in concrete.

Estimated damages have yet to be determined.

The legislator called the incident a “tragedy” as a lot of family memories and memorabilia were lost./DGB, WDJ