At least 73 houses were destroyed while eight were damaged partially in a fire that broke out at dawn of July 31, 2024 in Bacolod City.
The fire occurred in Barangay Dos, Bacolod City at around 3 a.m.
According to residents, the fire started in the house of a carpenter who has the habit of setting cardboard egg trays on fire to reportedly drive away mosquitoes.
The carpenter, they said, is not a native in the area.
“Ang cause of fire natin is alleged open flame from lighted improvised mosquito repellent,” Fire Supt. Jenny Mae Masip, fire marshal of the Bacolod City Fire Station, said.
A resident said the fire spread quickly when the flames consumed a carpet.
“Umabot sa carpet kaya iyon, nasunog kasi umalis siya. Humihingi iyan sa tindahan ng mga karton ng itlog,” Rose Marie Gomia, a resident, said.
Prior to the incident, a fire razed the house of alias “Mercy,” a former teacher, in Barangay Bata, Bacolod City.
Residents helped her out of the burning house.
“Nagtulong-tulong na lang kami na buhatin siya,” Randy, a neighbor, said.
According to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the fire could have been caused by defective electrical connection.
Meanwhile, BFP is investigating the explosion of a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tank loaded in a van in Barangay Mandalagan, Bacolod City on July 29, 2024.
Three persons were reported to have sustained burns, the LPG retailer and two of his helpers.
According to BFP investigation, the van carried 12 LPG tanks. Possible leak of a tank is looked into as a probable cause of the explosion.
An animal shelter near the van was also damaged reportedly.
The incident rendered P700,000 in damages.
In a statement made by the retailer to the BFP, he has a conveyance clearance. However, he was not able to submit the document.
GMA Regional TV One Western Visayas tried to reach for the retailer’s comment, but is yet to receive a reply as of posting time.
“Ang kinikwestyon namin sa kanila (retailer), do they have the permit for conveyance clearance? Kasi iba yung permit na may pwesto ka dyan, iba naman dapat yung nagdi-deliver,” Fire Supt. Masip pointed out.
Further, around 3,000 chickens were killed in a fire that struck a poultry farm in Barangay Sagasa, Bago City in the Province of Negros Occidental.
The incident happened at dawn on July 29, 2024.
According to the poultry farm caretaker, the fire could have been set on purpose.
Prior to the incident, Jinky Dalisay, the caretaker, noticed of the presence of armed men in the area. She said they were wearing full-face bonnets. The men robbed them allegedly of cash worth about P15,000.
The BFP has launched an investigation on the report to determine the cause of the fire.
“Ang mga nakuha sa fire scene na mga probable na mga evidence, ipinadala na sa fire laboratory,” FO2 Joeman Alvarez, fire investigator of BFP Bago City, said.
The fire left behind damages worth P800,000.
As for Bago City Police, they are investigating the statement of the owner of the poultry farm on alleged armed men who attacked the poultry farm.
