Fire incidents in the highly urbanized Bacolod City decreased by 52.4 percent from January to the middle of June, compared to the same period in 2024, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Bacolod reported yesterday.

Since January, the Bacolod City Fire Station has received only 82 fire calls, or lower by 90 from last year’s 172 calls.

Of the total, 44 involved residential buildings while the rest were non-structural, 15; non-residential buildings, 14; and vehicular fires, nine.

Damage to properties reached P7.832 million, much lower than the previous year’s P51.17 million.

In an interview, Fire Officer 2 Paul Servano said the decrease is the result of the joint safety intervention initiatives of the Bacolod City Fire Station and the city government.

“This is under the Red Zone Program of Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez. The BFP is spearheading its implementation,” he added.

Red zones or fire-prone areas are identified as high risk (more than one fire), moderate risk (at least one fire), and low risk (without history of fire).

However, BFP-Bacolod reported three fatalities in two incidents this year involving unattended lighted candles at home. Five others were injured.

On May 20, two children died after they were trapped in a house fire in Barangay 1, while on May 24, a one-year-old girl died and her six-year-old sister was injured in another fire in Barangay Mandalagan.

The BFP-Bacolod urged residents not to leave children, senior citizens, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable family members alone at home, as well as to report fire hazards and always keep emergency numbers ready.

“The heartbreaking events serve as a painful reminder that lives can be lost in seconds. Please take every precaution. Ensure your home is fire-safe,” it added. (PNA)