By CESAR JOLITO III

At least 24 houses were razed in a fire that struck a residential area at Barangay 5 in Negros Occidental’s San Carlos City, displacing 65 residents on Wednesday morning, September 3.

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) confirmed that 21 houses were completely destroyed while three sustained partial damage.

BFP Intelligence and Investigation Unit head, FO1 Rochel Ann Batayola, said the blaze started at 11:19 a.m. and was traced to an unattended cooking stove.

The flames spread quickly as the houses were built close to each other and made of light materials.

Damage was initially estimated at P306,250.

Residents affected by the incident are temporarily sheltered at the Barangay 5 hall.

San Carlos City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office chief Joe Recalex Alingasa said the city government has already extended food assistance to the displaced families.

Firefighters reminded the public to remain vigilant against fire hazards, stressing that negligence in household activities, such as unattended cooking, remains one of the leading causes of residential fires./CJ, WDJ