By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD CITY – A residential fire broke out early Thursday, damaging 15 houses and injuring one resident at Purok Kingfisher, Barangay 16.
Fire Superintendent Jenny Mae Masip, city fire marshal, said the blaze destroyed 10 houses and partially damaged five others.
Masip reported that the fire originated from the house of Florentino Sevilla, which was rented by Gerald Arroyo.
The blaze started in the bedroom on the second floor around 2:42 a.m.
Arroyo was not at home when the fire broke out, having left around 11 p.m. on Wednesday.
Masip mentioned that Arroyo did not turn off the ceiling fan in his bedroom when he left.
He added that the fire was caused by an overheating ceiling fan, which Arroyo usually left on.
Firefighters from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Rodriguez Baybay substation in Barangay 35 saw the fire from afar and responded immediately.
A 49-year-old man, identified as purok president Alejandro Piad, suffered thermal burns and difficulty breathing when he was trapped while trying to exit his house.
Piad had returned to check on his children and was trapped by burning debris. Two firefighters rescued him after hearing his shouts for help.
Piad was taken to a private hospital and placed in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) due to serious injuries.
Two BFP firefighters were also slightly electrocuted but were unharmed.
The fire was raised to the third alarm, and it was declared under control at 3:34 a.m.
The estimated cost of the damage was P675,000, affecting 450 square meters, according to Masip.
This incident occurred a day after another fire left 82 families homeless in Purok Kagaykay, Barangay 2. In a Facebook post, Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez said they are working closely with the BFP to investigate the causes of both fire incidents.
“Our hearts go out to those affected by these tragic events,” Benitez said.
The city government is mobilizing all available resources to provide immediate assistance and support to the displaced families.
Benitez assured that necessary steps will be taken to prevent such incidents in the future, prioritizing the safety of the people.
“Let us come together to support our fellow Bacolodnons during this challenging time,” the mayor added.
Masip mentioned that they will meet with Benitez on Monday, August 5, to discuss measures to prevent these incidents. A total of 185 fire-prone puroks have been identified in the city.
They started conducting an information campaign on July 6 and 7 to educate residents in various barangays about fire prevention and safety measures. These campaigns will continue every weekend.
