By JEN BAYLON

More than 100 families lost their homes in a fire at Barangay 5 in Negros Occidental’s San Carlos City on Friday night, September 6.

The fire destroyed 85 houses and damaged two others on the corner of Endrina and V. Gustilo Streets, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said.

BFP said the fire, which started at 8:44 p.m., spread quickly because the houses were made of light materials.

BFP-San Carlos Fire Officer 3 Joseph Earl Solivio said they had difficulty entering the 3,000-square meter area due to its size.

The blaze reached the third alarm.

A fire out was declared at 10:27 p.m.

A total of 424 individuals, equivalent to 106 families, were affected by the blaze.

No injuries or fatalities were reported in the incident, the BFP said.

An initial investigation revealed that the fire originated from a two-story house.

The BFP has yet to issue an official result of its investigation.

The affected families stayed at the Barangay 4 gymnasium over the weekend, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office said.

San Carlos Mayor Renato Gustilo, in a radio interview on Saturday, September 7, said a resident admitted that the fire was triggered by the lighted candle he left unattended after using illegal drugs.

The mayor said he will hold a meeting on Monday, September 9, to evaluate how much financial assistance the city will provide to the fire victims./JB, WDJ