By CESAR JOLITO III

Seven houses were gutted in a fast-moving fire that swept Burgos-Locsin Streets in Bacolod City’s Barangay 9 that displaced 22 families on Wednesday afternoon, December 10.

The blaze, which broke out at 3:48 p.m. in the house of Roberto Maligdong in Purok Calachuchi, rapidly spread to surrounding structures made of both light and mixed materials, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) – Bacolod said.

The fire was declared under control at 3:55 p.m., but not before it destroyed five houses and damaged two others, with estimated losses reaching P155,000.

No injuries or fatalities were reported.

Firefighters faced challenges accessing the inner portion of the congested community, forcing them to pull and link multiple hose lines as fire trucks could not enter the narrow pathways.

Volunteer brigades also responded to reinforce BFP units.

Arson investigators are probing the cause of the fire.

Mayor Greg Gasataya and Bacolod Lone District Representative Alfredo Abelardo Benitez immediately went to the area to oversee relief operations, distributing food packs to affected families now staying at the Barangay 9 evacuation center.

Gasataya directed the Department of Social Services and Development to expedite financial aid and ensure families receive necessary assistance while recovery efforts continue./CJ, WDJ