- GILBERT P. BAYORAN
A fire hit a residential area at around 9:45 p.m. Saturday in Brgy. 7, Bacolod City, which destroyed 38 houses and damaged two others.
Nobody was injured in the incident that was caused by an explosion of a butane canister being used for cooking, the Bureau of Fire Protection said, adding that a fire out was declared at 11:15 p.m. Sept. 9.
BFP arson probers estimated the damage at P195,000, and reported that 63 families have been temporarily displaced. It said 38 houses were destroyed and two others damaged.
But in a report released by the Bacolod Public Information Office last night, Sept. 10, the number of destroyed houses climbed to 38 with two others damaged.
It added that Mayor Alfredo Benitez, councilors Celia Flor, Cindy Rojas, Pao Sy, and Lady Gles Pallen, along with City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office head, Dr. Laarni Pornan, checked on the situation of the affected residents, numbering to about 201 individuals, or 63 families, who were staying at the Brgy. Villamonte gym.
The city also immediately released food and nonfood items to the fire victims, and assured them of continuing assistance./GB
