BACOLOD City – At least 35 families, or 114 individuals, were displaced by a blaze that hit Sitio Dacutan Dacu, Barangay Mambulac in Silay City, Negros Occidental early yesterday morning.
A total of 25 homes were destroyed, while seven others were heavily damaged in the blaze.
Authorities recorded one injury, a 93-year-old who was immediately sent to a hospital in Bacolod City.
Fire Senior Insp. Jovelyn Zamar, acting fire marshal of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Silay City, said two fire trucks were immediately dispatched after they received the call shortly before 2 a.m.
The fire reached third alarm status, prompting additional equipment from the neighboring cities of Bacolod, Talisay, Victorias, and E.B. Magalona town.
Bacolod City-based fire volunteer brigades from Chamber and Amity also responded.
The fire was under control by 3:17 a.m., and a fire out was declared shortly before 4 a.m.
Arson investigators have yet to determine the cause of the blaze and the cost of the damages.
Zamar denied allegations that their fire trucks did not have any water, adding that the city’s BFP has one supertanker fire truck that can carry 2,000 liters of water, and one full blast from its pressure nozzle can only last three to five minutes.
Zamar also pointed out issues with road obstructions, such as illegally parked vehicles. (Watchmen Daily Journal)
