4 houses, 2 stores razed by fire in Kabankalan

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) responded to a fire call in a residential area at Barangay 3, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental Saturday, January 25.

According to Fire Officer 1 Julius Ceazar Leonor, arson investigator, four houses and two stores were hit by the fire which broke out around 3:50 p.m.

The BFP has yet to establish the cause of the blaze but it affected the houses and stores of Avelina Medes, 60; Emely Ledesma, 25; Arazeli Lamata, 60; Roselyn Perez, 22; Leonor Endona; Jovy Galon, 55; and village councilman Melchor Emar, 55.

The fire was put out around 5:15 p.m., leaving an estimated damage of P250,000 worth of properties. No injuries were reported.

Meanwhile, an argument sparked online when some netizens questioned the alleged delayed response of the BFP.

In a Facebook post, the BFP in the city said that they responded to two fire incidents that day, but they responded as quickly as they could since they also do not want any loss of properties and most importantly, lives.

The BFP said that despite the negativity they received, they assured that they will not hesitate to help their constituents 24/7.

In Hinoba-an town, a man who was reportedly drunk allegedly set his house on fire at Barangy Talacagay last Saturday.

Police records showed that 26-year-old Ricky Landero, allegedly used a lighter to burn his house which is made of light materials.

The fire also destroyed the personal belongings of his partner and four children. Estimated cost of damage was pegged at P50,000. He is at large.