A massive fire tore through a highly congested area in Purok Cheriza, Brgy. 27, Bacolod City, on Friday, Sept. 12, destroying 232 houses and damaging two others.
The three-hour blaze, which started at 12:09 a.m. and was declared out at 3:10 a.m., left 314 families consisting of 964 residents homeless, with initial damage estimated at P4.5 million.
The fire also affected several furniture businesses on Lopez Jaena Street.
One firefighter from the Bacolod Bureau of Fire and Protection (BFP) was injured, suffering a hand wound that required stitches, Bacolod Fire Marshal Jenny Mae Masip said.
The fire began on the second floor of a house rented by a couple identified as Fritz and Sunshine, she said.
Neighbors reported hearing the couple fighting before the fire broke out, though they said such disputes were common, Masip added.
Masip said that the fire was caused by an “electrical ignition” from an extension cord where a ceiling fan and a charger were connected.
The house was found to be illegally tapping into a neighbor’s electricity where the extension cord was connected. The evidence will be sent to the BFP’s national headquarters for electrical analysis, Masip said.
The couple, who could shed light on the incident, could not be located Friday morning.
Masip urged them to come forward to provide information to investigators. She added that while the fire appears to be an accident, neighbors could file charges against the couple for negligence if it is proven.
Masip noted that when the fire in Brgy. 27 started, four BFP fire trucks were already putting out a fire at a house in Purok Pine Tree, Brgy. Granada.
When the first fire truck from the BFP Station at Libertad arrived at Brgy. 27 in four minutes from receiving the call for help, the fire had already destroyed 10 houses, she said.
Fire trucks from other Bacolod BFP stations, including the four from Granada, along with those of volunteer firefighting groups and neighboring local government units, also arrived at Brgy. 27.
The fire spread quickly because the houses were made of light materials and were built close to one another, Masip said.
The narrow pathways also made it difficult for firefighters to access the area. The area had been previously tagged as a “red zone,” or fire-prone, Masip said.
Fire victims were evacuated to Apolinario Mabini Elementary School and advised not to return to the fire-hit area as it was not yet safe. One victim reported that coins she had recovered from her burned house were stolen.
Bacolod Mayor Greg Gastaya visited the victims and said the city government had delivered assistance.
They are also determining the property’s owner and the possible relocation of residents who are willing to move, he said.
Those who wish to help the fire victims can coordinate with Jerah Loar of the Department of Social Services and Development at the Apolinario Mabini Elementary School, Gasataya said.*