BY MA. THERESA LADIAO
ILOILO City – A fire broke out late Thursday evening, December 19, in Project 5, Barangay Sooc, Arevalo district here, causing an estimated damage of P255,000.
The blaze, believed to be electrical in nature, completely destroyed two homes and partially damaged four others.
According to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-Iloilo City, the fire was reported at 9:37 p.m. It was declared under control by 10:06 p.m. and fully extinguished three minutes later at 10:09 p.m.
Fire Officer 2 John Paquito Verano, arson investigator of the BFP-Iloilo City, said that preliminary findings suggested the fire originated from the second-floor bedroom of Delia Acla’s residence. The house, constructed from a mix of concrete and light materials, had fire patterns indicative of an electrical fault.
The flames spread rapidly due to the plywood ceiling and the predominantly light materials used in nearby structures, engulfing adjacent homes before firefighters could contain the fire.
The BFP-Iloilo City has sent burned debris to their central office fire laboratory for further analysis to confirm the fire’s exact cause.
The city’s fire station urged residents to exercise caution with electrical installations and ensure regular maintenance checks to prevent similar incidents. It also reminded homeowners to prioritize fire safety, particularly in homes constructed with flammable materials./PN
