• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
A 76-year-old woman died, while 23 houses were destroyed by fire in two separate incidents on April 13 in Bacolod City and Binalbagan, Negros Occidental.
The City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) reported that 16 houses were destroyed, while three others were partially damaged by a fire in Barangay 18, Bacolod City, on Saturday.
The Bureau of Fire and Protection estimated the fire damage at P3 million.
Also dislocated by the fire were 47 families, composed of 144 individuals, who received food packs and other basic necessities from the CSWDO. They are now temporarily staying at the barangay chapel.
BFP arson investigators are looking at faulty electrical wiring as the cause of the fire.
On the other hand, a 76-year-old woman died after a fire burned down six houses in Brgy. San Jose, Binalbagan, Negros Occidental.
The victim, whose identity was withheld, was alone in her residence when the fire incident took place. According to the BFP, she was not able to escape from the fire that started from the house of her neighbors.
A total of 40 residents were affected by the fire, while damage was pegged at P600,000.
The fire took place while the barangay was marking its fiesta.*
