• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
A elderly woman died while 23 houses were destroyed by fire in two separate incidents in Bacolod City and Binalbagan, Negros Occidental on Saturday (April 13).
In Bacolod, the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) reported that 16 houses were destroyed, while three others have been partially damaged by fire in Barangay 18.
The Bureau of Fire and Protection (BFP) estimated the damage at P3 million.
Displaced were 47 families, composed of 144 individuals, who already received food packs and other basic necessities from the CSWDO.
They are now temporarily staying at the barangay chapel.
Arson investigators are looking into faulty electrical wiring as the cause of fire, which started in the house of Encarnacion Rodriguez.
Meanwhile, a 76-year-old woman died in a fire that burned six houses in Barangay San Jose, Binalbagan.
The victim was alone in her residence and was not able to go out when the fire spread from her neighbors’ houses.
A total of 40 residents were affected by the fire, while damage was pegged at P600,000. | GB
