• RICHARD T. CABALLERO JR.
Twenty-one houses were totally destroyed, while 3 others were partially damaged by a residential fire that broke out at around 11 a.m. in Barangay 5 in San Carlos City on Wednesday.
San Carlos Bureau of Fire Protection Chief Intelligence and Investigation Unit FO1 Rochel Ann Batayola said yesterday that the estimated cost of damage to infrastructure caused by the fire was more than P306,000.
The BFP determined the cause of the fire as due to unattended cooking within one of the affected households. The investigation revealed that one of the residents was cooking rice and left the fire unattended.
Batayola added that the BFP had a quick response and arrived at the reported scene within 4 minutes. However, the fire quickly consumed the affected area since the houses were very close to each other and were mostly made of light materials.
The fire incident affected a total of 65 individuals who are now taking temporary shelter at the Barangay Hall of the area.
The San Carlos City Social Welfare and Development Office, in coordination with the barangay officials, has extended food packs and essential support, such as sleeping kits to ease the problems faced by the displaced persons.*
