A fire destroyed 11 houses and damaged two at San Juan Street, Purok Kagaykay, Brgy. 2 in Bacolod City at 2:15 p.m. Wednesday, February 7, the Bacolod Fire Station reported.
The fire started from the house of Remedios Saldua and quickly spread to neighboring houses because of strong wind, SFO4 Jereck Barbas, ground commander at the scene of the fire, he said.
The houses made of mixed materials were built close to each other, with many separated only by plywood walls, he said.
Damage was placed at P1.5 million, he said.
They are still determining the cause of the fire, Barbas said.
City Social Welfare Officer Alma Gustilo said the fire affected 16 families with 46 members.
The evacuees are temporarily staying at a chapel in Barangay 2 and have been provided with food and non-food assistance by the city government, she added.*