By CESAR JOLITO III

Two separate fire incidents struck Bacolod City on Saturday morning, April 25, leaving six houses damaged but no reported injuries.

Four houses were totally destroyed after a fire broke out in Barangay 2’s Purok Tahong at 11:26 a.m., the Bureau of Fire Protection said.

Investigators said the blaze started inside the home of Joren Gouin, allegedly caused by a candle left unattended due to the absence of electricity in the area.

Bacolod City Fire Marshal Fire Superintendent Jenny Mae Masip said the houses, made of light materials and located along the shoreline, allowed the fire to spread rapidly.

The affected structures were situated close to each other, with no nearby buffer zones to contain the flames.

The fire reached first alarm before it was declared under control at 11:41 a.m.

Authorities estimated the total damage at P22,500. No injuries or casualties were reported.

Earlier that day, another fire hit San Antonio Street in Barangay Sum-ag’s Purok San Sebastian at 8:27 a.m. The blaze left one house totally damaged and another partially destroyed.

Initial investigation revealed that the fire originated from smoldering charcoal left unattended inside the home of resident Ricky Panaungon, who had reportedly left for Bago City without extinguishing it.

The fire was declared out at 8:45 a.m., with damage pegged at P5,000.

No one was reported injured./CJ, WDJ