BACOLOD City — At least 18 families, or 83 individuals, were displaced after a fire struck a residential area in Purok San Jose 2, Barangay Sum-ag, Bacolod City, late Tuesday night, September 1.
Wendy Castro, social welfare officer and disaster focal person of the city’s Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD), said the affected families were temporarily evacuated to the Barangay Sum-ag Gym, where they sought shelter following the blaze.
As of 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, DSSD records showed that 18 families comprising 83 individuals had been displaced by the fire.
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) reported that the blaze affected 14 residential structures, nine of which were totally destroyed and five partially damaged.
The fire was reported at around 9:20 p.m. and was declared fire out at 9:50 p.m., according to the BFP.
No deaths or injuries were reported.
Initial estimates placed the property damage at around P120,500.
The BFP identified Ernie Mahilum as the owner of the residence where the fire reportedly originated. The exact cause of the blaze remains under investigation.
Authorities and social welfare personnel are assisting the displaced families, primarily through the provision of food and other basic necessities.
The city government is also continuing to validate the affected families as part of the process for providing financial assistance to the fire victims./PN
