BY CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO
Nine houses and one structure were destroyed while four other houses were damaged by a fire in Purok Mahimulaton, Barangay Banago, Bacolod City, Thursday evening.
The Bureau of Fire Protection estimated the damage caused by the fire that started from the house of Jerry Villamor at P75,000. The houses were mostly made of light materials including the structure used by fisherfolk living in the area as storage for their fishing gears.
The nine families and 28 individuals affected by the fire have sought temporary refuge at the Multipurpose Center of Brgy. Banago and were provided food assistance by Barangay Captain Ricky Mijares.
Mijares said the barangay council of Banago will determine the amount of financial assistance to be extended to the fire victims.
Villamor, in an interview over DYRL, said he does not know where the fire started as he prepared his supper as early as 4 p.m. He only found out later that his house was on fire after having a drink with his friends in a store nearby.
The fire started at about 6:54 p.m. and was put under control by responding firefighters by about 7:49 p.m. Thursday.
Meanwhile, Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez came to visit the fire victims after the incident.
The city government also provided the affected families with hot meals and folding beds, while social workers and the City Health Office will be monitoring the health status of the evacuees.*
