By CESAR JOLITO III

Two separate fire incidents struck parts of Bacolod City during the observance of Holy Week, leaving several homes damaged but no casualties reported.

On Holy Thursday, April 2, a residential house in Barangay 40’s Purok Katilingban was completely gutted after a lit candle reportedly triggered the fire at 7:48 p.m.

Fire Officer 2 Anthony Val Isansa, fire arson investigator of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) – Bacolod, said five minor siblings were inside the house when the fire started.

One of the children allegedly lit a candle due to darkness inside the home.

The candle was reportedly left unattended and eventually toppled onto a foam material, causing the fire to spread rapidly throughout the house, which was also made of light materials.

The children managed to escape unharmed.

Investigators learned that their mother had left the house minutes before the incident to buy something and look for the children’s father.

Meanwhile, another blaze broke out shortly in Barangay Banago’s Purok Makawiwili on Good Friday evening, April 3.

According to the BFP, four houses located near a bridge were affected by the blaze around 10:00 p.m.

Of these, three were totally destroyed while one sustained partial damage.

All structures were made of light materials.

Authorities said no one was injured in the incident, which resulted in an estimated P35,000 worth of property damage./CJ, WDJ