By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

At least 18 homes were either damaged or destroyed following a fire yesterday morning at a Barangay 6 residential neighborhood in Bacolod City.

Bacolod City Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) fire marshal, Fire Chief Inspector Publio Ploteña, said they received a fire call around 9:45 a.m. regarding a blaze that started at the residence of a certain Fatima Pagdado.

The fire quickly spread among nearby homes as most of were made of light materials.

The blaze was also noted to have gutted the residence of Bacolod City Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President Ayesha Joy Villaflor.

The fire reportedly lasted for at least 20 minutes and a fireout was declared around 10:09 a.m.

Ploteña said the fire reached “second alarm” status.

He also pointed out, the fire quickly spread because most of the homes were constructed too close to each other.

BFP estimated damages at P200,000.

Arson investigators are presently investigating the incident./DGB, WDJ\