By Felipe V. Celino
ROXAS CITY, Capiz – An estimated PHP70,000 was lost when two houses burned down on Saturday evening, Nov. 2, after a candle left burning on an altar sparked a fire in Barangay Bolo, Roxas City.
The Roxas City Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) reported that the damage assessment was based on statements from the homeowners to the arson investigator.
The houses, owned by siblings Roberto Clavaton and Ruby Clavaton Unasin, were completely destroyed in the blaze. Both siblings are of legal age, and no belongings were saved from the fire.
The fire reportedly started around 9:30 p.m. and was declared under control by 10:40 p.m., with response efforts from Roxas City BFP and local fire volunteers.
Roberto Clavaton stated that he had placed a lit candle on a bottle on the altar near some food before leaving the house. He suggested that a cat may have knocked over the candle, causing it to fall and ignite nearby items.
Clavaton said no one was home at the time, as all family members were visiting relatives. His sister’s adjacent house was also consumed by the fire.
In a separate incident, a house in Sitio Ilawod, Barangay Sta. Carmen, Dumalag, Capiz, sustained partial fire damage on Saturday morning, Nov. 2.
Authorities identified the homeowner as Estella, a senior citizen residing in the area.
The Dumalag BFP reported that the fire started around 9:42 a.m. and was declared out by 10:14 a.m. The initial investigation estimated damage at approximately PHP1,500.
