By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Around 21 houses were destroyed while 10 were damaged in a fire at Purok Magti-ayon in Bacolod City’s Barangay 10 yesterday.

Fire Chief Inspector Rodel Legaspi of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Bacolod said the damage due to the fire was pegged at P155,000.

Legaspi said they received the fire call at 11:53 a.m. and were immediately able to respond as the blaze is located just behind the city’s main fire station on San Juan Street.

The fire reached third alarm status, calling for available firefighters, fire trucks and other support rescue equipment in the city to respond.

Battling the blaze also proved difficult due to the narrow passageways in the area, which prompted some of the firefighters to climb up a perimeter wall at the back of a restaurant.

The restaurant diners were also forced to evacuate due to the smoke coming from the blaze.

The fire was further aggravated due to strong winds and houses were made of light materials.

Firefighters managed to control the blaze and a fire out was declared at 12:46 p.m.

No one was killed in the blaze, although several residents who were either trying to flee or save their belongings suffered minor injuries such as cuts and bruises, Legaspi said.

Some individuals were also treated for minor smoke inhalation.

BFP-Bacolod are still investigating the report that an electrical post in the area sparked prior to the blaze./DGB, WDJ