By CESAR JOLITO III

An electrical overload from an alleged octopus connection caused a massive fire that razed 93 houses at Barangay Rizal in Negros Occidental’s San Carlos City on Monday, September 22, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said.

BFP-San Carlos City Fire Marshal, Chief Inspector Erwin Johannes Gimotea, said their initial investigation revealed that the blaze originated from the residence of Mea Cabulang, where multiple extension cords were linked.

Records show that 87 houses in Greenville Bato were totally destroyed, while six sustained partial damage, leaving around 395 individuals displaced.

Some of the affected families are temporarily staying at the Barangay Rizal Covered Court, while others were brought to the quarantine facility in Barangay 2.

Gimotea admitted that firefighters encountered difficulties in responding to the incident at 12:43 p.m. due to the narrow pathways leading to the area, limiting their mobility.

Strong winds further fueled the spread of flames, making it harder to contain the fire.

The BFP declared fire out at 2:03 p.m.

The lot where most of the houses stood is reportedly privately owned.

The estimated cost of damage reached more than P2.6 million.

Despite the extensive property damage, authorities confirmed that no one was injured in the incident./CJ, WDJ