SunStar Bacolod, Nov. 03, 2005
A MIDMORNING fire razed at least seven houses in purok Cadena de Amor, Barangay 29 Wednesday.
Witnesses said a loud explosion preceded the incident, which also partially destroyed three houses.
The Bureau of Fire Protection pegged the damages at P800,000.
BFP investigator Cornelio Silva said the houses destroyed were owned by Violeta Sason, Elsa Cansis and Lonalaine Sason (with three families living in one house), Glenda Cientos, Luzviminda Limbalo, Ninfa Limbalo, Noel Jocson, Feliciana Losquite, Simeon Baliguat, Sr., Geraldine Jordan and Leticia Berlanas.
While the houses of Edgardo Alimon, Edna Caballero, Sulpida Legaspi, Vicente Legaspi and Mary Jane Villan were damaged.
The fire originated at the second floor of the house of Violeta Sason, Silva said.
As of press time, the cause of the incident was still being investigated.
It took the firefighters some 35 minutes to control the blaze and prevent it from spreading to neighboring houses.
Mayor Evelio Leonardia said he already sought the help of the Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD).
He added that the city is yet to determine the financial assistance to be given to the fire victims. This will have to wait though for the BFP official report.
Leonardia also commended Talisay City Mayor Anthony Lizares and Silay City Mayor Carlo Gamban for their immediate assistance. Both sent their fire trucks to help the Bacolod City Fire Department in containing the blaze.
Firefighters from the Tanduay, Amity and Fil-Chinese Chamber of Commerce also helped in putting the fire off.
The Chamber and Amity ambulances attended to Feliciana Losquite who suffered from hypertension and Sulpida Legaspi, 78.
Legaspi had difficulty breathing after seeing the fire spread around his area. She collapsed and lay unconscious for several minutes. The responding paramedics revived her though.
