Church, Four Houses Burn in Bacolod City Fires

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY – A fire broke out in two separate villages here Wednesday morning, destroying a Pentecostal church and four houses.

The first incident was reported at 3:41 a.m. in Purok Sambag, Barangay Mandalagan, where the House of Glory Foursquare Gospel Church was razed.

Fire Officer 2 Rolin Paulan, chief arson investigator of the Bacolod City Fire Station, said the blaze originated from the ceiling of a function hall, possibly due to electrical ignition.

Three people, including a youth pastor, were at the mezzanine when the fire broke out but were able to evacuate safely.

However, the pastor’s dog died after getting trapped in the bathroom, reportedly drawn to the water.

Paulan said the fire caused an estimated PHP1.5 million in damages, with fire out declared at 3:55 a.m.

He added the fire may have gone unnoticed initially, leading to the total destruction of the fully furnished structure.

A second fire occurred three hours later in a residential area at Purok Progreso, Zone 2, Abada Escay, Barangay Vista Alegre, affecting four houses under the Bacolod Housing Authority.

Paulan said the fire partially damaged two homes and destroyed two others.

The blaze broke out at 6:41 a.m. and reportedly originated from the home of Rosalie Sederio.

He noted that arson rumors are under investigation but require further evidence and witness statements to determine the actual cause.

The Bureau of Fire Protection–Bacolod estimated the damage at PHP1,212,000, with fire out declared at 6:59 a.m.

No injuries were reported in either incident.