Eighteen houses were destroyed while three were damaged partially in a fire in Barangay 18, Bacolod City, while four houses were razed to the ground in Binalbagan town, Negros Occidental.

It took over two hours before the fire was put out. The fire in the morning of April 13, 2024 spread quickly because the houses were made mostly of light materials.

“Highly congested. Ang mga bahay made of hardwood at light materials kaya sobrang bilis ang pagkalat,” according to FO2 Rolin Paulan, chief of the Bacolod City Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) - Investigation and Intelligence Unit.

Over 50 families lost their houses. They sought temporary shelter at the community evacuation center.

The fire left over P3 million in damages, the report added.

Roger Mendez, a fire victim, ensured that his family is safe. He said he was not able to take with him his other important belongings as the fire spread rapidly.

“Asawa ko at anak ko dali-dali kong inilabas kasi nandyan na ang apoy,” Mendez said.

Faulty electrical connection is looked into as the cause of the fire incident.

“Doon sa ating fire pattern, ating nadiskubre (doon) ang ignition source. Ang nandun lang, electrical. Yan pa ang ating iniimbestigahan,” Paulan said. 

Meanwhile, a 76-year-old grandmother was trapped in her burning house on the night of April 13, 2024 in Barangay San Jose, Binalbagan, Negros Occidental.

According to the Binalbagan BFP, the victim was alone in her room. She was reportedly bedridden. 

"Siya lang mag-isa sa bahay nila. May okasyon sa plaza, fiesta doon. Siya lang naiwan mag-isa sa kwarto,” FO2 Joseph Salarda, chief of the Investigation Unit of Binalbagan Fire Station, said. 

Aside from the senior citizen’s house, three adjacent houses were also destroyed.  

The damages were estimated at nearly P300,000.

As of posting time, investigation is on to establish the cause of the fire.