NEGROS Occidental – Around 395 individuals were displaced after a fire struck a residential area in Greenville Bato, Barangay Rizal, San Carlos City on Monday afternoon, September 22.
According to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) – San Carlos City, the fire broke out at around 1 p.m.
Fire Chief Inspector Erwin Johannes Gimotea, city fire marshal, said their initial investigation revealed that the blaze originated from the residence of Mea Cabulang, where multiple extension cords were linked.
The BFP-San Carlos City confirmed that an electrical overload from an alleged octopus connection caused the massive fire that also destroyed 87 houses and damaged six others.
Damage was pegged at approximately P2.6 million, but no injuries were reported in the incident, authorities said.
Gimotea admitted firefighters encountered difficulties in responding to the incident due to the narrow pathways leading to the area, limiting their mobility. Strong winds further fueled the spread of flames, making it harder to contain the fire.
She added that the lot where most of the houses stood is reportedly privately owned.
As of this writing, some of the affected families were taking temporary shelter at the barangay covered court while others were brought to the quarantine facility in nearby Barangay 2. (Watchmen Daily Journal)/PN
