A 7-year-old boy playing with a lighter triggered the fire that hit 29 houses in Purok Lampirong, Brgy. 2, Bacolod City, FSupt. Jenny Mae Masip, Bacolod Fire Marshal, said on Friday, March 6.
The boy, who was home alone, was lighting a candle with the lighter, she said.
March is Fire Prevention Month because it is when most fires occur, Masip said.
Masip said children should not be allowed to play with fire and be left unsupervised.
Lighters, matches, candles, even butane, or anything that can cause a fire should be kept away from children, she said.
Masip stressed the need to practice fire safety every day.
Plugs, especially phone chargers, should be unplugged when not in use, she said.
Cooking should not be left unattended, she added.
The fire hit 29 houses in Purok Lampirong at past 1 p.m. Thursday, leaving 20 destroyed and nine damaged, Masip said.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development reported that 32 families or 109 individuals lost their homes during the fire at Purok Lampirong.*
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