• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
A fire destroyed 53 houses and damaged four others in Barangay Zone 5, Talisay City, Negros Occidental Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 4.
The hour-long fire also displaced 57 families, composed of 213 individuals, according to the city government.
Initial investigation of the Bureau of Fire and Protection indicated that the fire, which hit houses made of light materials, may have been caused by faulty electrical connection.
Senior Fire Officer 4 Jessie Dequilato, city fire marshal, placed the estimated damage at more than P500,000.
The fire victims are now temporarily staying at the Talisay City Gymnasium.
The City Social Welfare and Development Office has extended an initial assistance to the fire victims upon the instruction of Mayor Neil Lizares.
The Angels’ Wings Foundation chaired by Atty. Rowena Lopez Lizares, the mayor’s wife, also extended food assistance to the affected families. | GB
