By Mae Singuay

A mother and her daughter died in a fire at Purok Bayanihan in Bacolod City’s Barangay Taculing yesterday morning.

Fire marshal, chief inspector Stephen Jardeleza of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Bacolod, identified the fire casualties as 39-year-old Mengel Itchon, a person with disabilities; and her three-year-old daughter Jhanella.

He said Itchon was suffering from a stroke that paralyzed her.

Arthuro Aplacador, 84 years old, sustained minor burns to the right shoulder.

Around seven houses were destroyed and one was partially-damaged in the blaze.

Based on the initial investigation, the fire started in the kitchen of Nickel Aplacador’s house at 8:47 a.m.

The BFP declared fire out at 9:13 a.m.

The estimated cost of damage was P300,000 as the houses were made of light materials, Jardeleza said.

Meanwhile, Mayor Alfredo Benitez, who visited the area, said he saw the casualties’ bodies, citing that the child was holding the hand of her mother, as she tried to drag her outside their house during the fire.

Benitez said the city government will now assess possible fire-prone areas in Bacolod.

“Together with the barangay officials, we will identify kun diin ang mga fire-prone areas and to take extra measures para indi na maliwat ang natabo,” he said./MS, WDJ