NEGROS Occidental – A fire gutted at least 24 houses in Barangay 5, San Carlos City in this province on Wednesday morning, September 3, displacing 65 residents, authorities reported.
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-San Carlos City said 21 houses were totally destroyed while three sustained partial damage.
Fire Officer 1 Rochel Ann Batayola, head of the BFP-San Carlos City’s Intelligence and Investigation Unit, said the blaze broke out at around 11:19 a.m. and was traced to an unattended cooking stove.
The flames spread rapidly as the houses were made of light materials and built close together. Initial damage was pegged at P306,250.
Displaced residents are currently staying at the Barangay 5 hall.
Joe Recalex Alingasa, chief of the San Carlos City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, said the city government has already provided food assistance to the affected families.
Fire officials reminded the public to stay vigilant against fire hazards, stressing that negligence in household activities — particularly unattended cooking — remains one of the leading causes of residential fires. (Watchmen Daily Journal)/PN
