BACOLOD City — The Christmas tree installed at the Negros Occidental Provincial Capitol Lagoon was gutted by fire on January 10, but no injuries or casualties were reported.
Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz said the fire broke out at around 5:30 p.m. and was immediately responded to by the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).
Based on the BFP report, the fire was brought under control within four minutes.
“The most important thing is that there were no injuries or casualties, and everyone enjoying the park at the time was safe,” Diaz said.
He explained that the location of the Christmas tree, which was situated in the middle of the lagoon, helped prevent harm to park visitors.
The provincial government extended its apologies to Negrenses, particularly families and children, for the inconvenience caused by the incident.
“We apologize for cutting short your photo opportunities and enjoyment of the holiday decorations, especially for children who frequently visit the Capitol Lagoon Park,” Diaz said.
He also apologized to those who personally witnessed the incident and thanked the public for their understanding as authorities work to ensure safety in the area.
The BFP-Bacolod has yet to determine the extent of the damage and the cause of the fire, pending the ongoing investigation./PN
