By Glazyl M. Jopson
BACOLOD CITY – A rice mill was destroyed in a fire that broke out late Sunday night in Barangay Nabulao, Sipalay City, Negros Occidental.
Fire Officer 3 Christian Toreta, chief arson investigator of the Bureau of Fire Protection-Sipalay, said the blaze was classified as industrial, with damages estimated at PHP1.75 million.
He said the BFP received a call around 11:30 p.m.
The rice mill had been non-operational since it was damaged by Super Typhoon Odette in December 2021, according to Toreta.
A caretaker had been staying in the facility but was not present during the fire as he was visiting another sitio in the same village.
Toreta said an overheated light bulb was being investigated as the possible cause, due to the presence of old electrical wiring inside the mill.
The structure, made of mixed concrete and light materials, was located in the middle of a rice field.
Also damaged were the caretaker’s personal belongings and milling equipment.
Fire out was declared at 12:50 a.m. Monday.
