By Jen Baylon

An unattended candle sparked a fire at Purok Providence in Bacolod City’s Barangay Sum-ag on Sunday morning, February 11, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Bacolod said yesterday.

Deputy city fire marshal, Senior Fire Officer Jereck Barbas said the fire started in Pamela Alcon’s house at 7:10 a.m.

Barbas said Alcon admitted to lighting the candle while taking a bath due to a scheduled power interruption.

However, she immediately left her house with her two children to buy groceries without extinguishing the candle.

Upon returning, Alcon discovered that their house was already engulfed in flames.

The fire spread to five neighboring houses.

Barbas confirmed that three houses were destroyed, while three others were partially damaged in the blaze.

No injuries were recorded from the fire, but it left a total of P43,750 worth of damages.

Meanwhile, BFP-Bacolod has requested understanding from the residents as their firetruck at the BFP Sum-ag substation is currently out of commission due to brake failure.

Barbas reassured them that their repair fund request for the firetruck had been approved by their regional office.

They are waiting for maintenance funds to be released.

Barbas also reminded residents to be vigilant and careful in using candles.

“Ginapangabay ta ang mga abyan ta da nga dapat maging vigilant kita, kag careful kita sa aton paggamit sang kandila. Dapat nakatungtong sa isa ka certain nga bagay or isulod naton sa garapon or baso kag ipalayo naton sa mga malab-ot niya nga pwede masunog, like kurtina, or mga plastic,” he said.

He also advised to unplug electrical appliances when not in use.

“Dapat ang mga unused nga electrical appliances, i-unplug naton, tapos ang aton nga cellphone indi ta pag-steady sa charger, kay kabalo ka naman subong ang mga kabataan gina-steady na lang sa mga charger ang ila mga cellphone,” he said.

They also urged residents to avoid overloading electrical outlets, and regularly having electrical installations checked by a qualified electrician.

“I-avoid ta man ang aton ginatawag octopus connection kay ini makatuga sang ginatawag overloading. I-maintain ang good housekeeping sa sulod sang balay, buot silingon naka-arrange, [kag] matinlo. Ang mga flammable materials dapat naka-separate,” he said.

“Tapos ang electrical installation dapat ma-check up man regularly sang isa ka qualified nga electrician, kay ang aton kuryente sa kadugayon ga-brittle ini kag amo ina ang gina-target nga kitkiton sang ilaga,” he added./JB, WDJ