• CHERYL G. CRUZ
Twelve families, or 42 individuals, from Purok Santol in Barangay Mandalagan, Bacolod City, have sought shelter in a nearby daycare center after their houses turned to ashes this afternoon, June 5.
An incident report from the Bacolod City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office showed that the structural fire broke out at 1:33 p.m. Wednesday, escalated to first alarm status, and eventually snuffed one hour later.
Three houses were destroyed, and another two damaged, with initial cost of damage placed at P630,000, the DRRMO said, adding that no one was hurt during the conflagration.
“Fire engines were dispatched and arrived at the scene by 1:35 p.m., just minutes after the fire was reported. Simultaneously, the Bacolod City DRRMO 911 Hotline activated the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) units for immediate assistance,” Dr. Anna Maria Laarni Pornan, city DRRM officer, said in the report.
The affected residents already received food packs and nonfood assistance from the city, through the DRRMO and Bacolod City Health Office.
Investigation is ongoing to determine the exact cause of the fire, with official findings expected to be released by the Bureau of Fire Protection-Bacolod City Fire Station soon, the DRRMO added. | CGC
