• CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO
A male worker died, while 11 others were injured during a fire that hit the poultry production site of Ta-ala Farms Inc. in Barangay Mansilingan, Bacolod City, on Saturday afternoon.
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said the fatality was identified as 26-year-old Johnrel Esparagoza.
Initial investigations showed Esparagoza was trapped while other workers were able to escape by jumping out of windows or running down the staircase.
Police are still investigating the cause of the fire that has caused losses estimated at PHP2.6 million to the establishment owned by Bonnie Taala.
At around 1:21 p.m. on Saturday, six fire trucks of the Bacolod City Fire Station responded after the poultry farm’s storage area, which also serves as workers’ living quarters, caught fire.
Personnel of the ambulance units of the BFP and the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office gave first aid treatment to the 11 injured workers who suffered minor burns or foot and back injuries.
Those who sustained minor burns were identified as Frenz Estorco, Jhon Lexter Escaro, Felipe Ibañez, Christian Poltalotalo, April Boy Canagan, and April John Silvero.
Others hurt were Darwin Castillano, Dennis Cañete, Christian Paul Mission, John Paul Ramirez, and Bryan Estorco.
Meanwhile, an establishment in Purok Pine Tree, Brgy. Bata, Bacolod City was also destroyed by fire, while one person was injured during the incident Friday.
BFP records showed that the estimated damage caused by the fire, which razed Estil Realty Development, owned by Bianca Picardel, was about P8,000.
Raul Flores, 30, sustained minor burns on his right leg due to the incident.* with PNA reports
