BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – Two dogs died and an estimated P1.5-million worth of property were lost to a residential blaze in Purok 7, Maso Street, Barangay Villamonte here yesterday morning.
Fire Chief Inspector Rodel Legaspi, the city fire marshal, said the fire started at around 7:22 a.m.
They received the fire call at around 7:25 a.m.
Firefighters arrived at the scene at around 7:28 a.m. and the occupants of the house owned by Adella Penaflorida had already been evacuated.
A “fire out” was declared at around 8:17 a.m., and arson investigators found the remains of the two dogs.
Two of the house’s occupants, 30-year-old Sharrah mae Avila, and 36-year-old Imar Drilon, were also reported to have been injured in the blaze.
Two other homes located nearby were also reported damaged.
Based on the initial probe made by arson investigators of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the fire originated at the second floor area of the house occupied by Jose Marie Sy Abrico, Peñaflorida’s grandson.
BFP Region 6 needs 136 new fire officers, according to Fire Chef Superintendent Jerry Candido, regional director, recently.
Recruitment has started.
Candido said they prefer to hire engineers, seafarers, psychologists, nurses, and pilots.
“We need these qualifications, especially nurses, in our organization, and seaferers who have the knowledge and expertise in water,” Candido added./PN