Fire struck at least 10 houses, in over 30 minutes, in Barangay 10, Bacolod City.

As most of the houses were made of light materials, six were destroyed while four were damaged past 9 p.m. on February 11, 2026.

The fire displaced at least 24 families. Among them are Aliviado and Demafiles families who have not saved a piece of belonging.

“(Crying) magpapatayo na naman kami ulit ng bahay kasi tinupok ng apoy ang aming bahay,” Jovito Aliviado, a fire victim, said.

Janet Defamiles, another fire victim, thought she saw death coming. 

“Parang natakot ako. Hindi nga ako makalakad. Akala ko mamatay na ako. Sabi ko Lord, maawa ka,” Defamiles said.

An investigation by the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) rendered that an unattended lighted candle caused the fire.

“Yung origin na bahay ay one month nang walang kuryente. Walang tao sa loob ng bahay pero sinabi ng may ari na meron silang naiwan na nakasinding kandila sa taas ng cabinet,” said Fire Inspector Jemarie Tapiru, deputy fire marshal of BFP Bacolod City.

“Hindi namin alam kasi bago pa man kami umalis, secured naman, actually,” Rose, another fire victim, said.

Aside from financial assistance, the Local Government Unit (LGU) will focus tightly on providing psychological intervention to fire victims.

“Na-recall nila ang mga previous experiences sa tuwing may sunog. Alam naman natin na kung hindi ito ma-address, it would lead to effects sa kanilang psychological aspects,” said Richelle Mangga, head of the Bacolod City Department of Social Services and Development.

As frequent fire incidents occur in the said barangay, officials vowed to strengthen its fire prevention awareness.

"Pinapaalala natin sila kasi mahirap na masunugan,” Barangay 10 Chairman Melvin Bravo said.

Damage reached over P70,000.