One hurt as fire gobbles 31 houses in Silay

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – An elderly woman was wounded after a fire hit a residential area, damaging more than 30 houses at Sitio Dacutan Daku Zone 8, Barangay Mambulac, Silay City, Negros Occidental early Thursday.

Senior Inspector Jovelyn Zamar, city fire marshal, said that a 93-year-old woman suffered multiple abrasions on her right arm. She was brought to Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital here.

Based on the initial report of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-Silay, 24 houses were razed to the ground, while seven others were partially damaged.

Zamar said they received a fire call around 1:59 a.m. The blaze gobbled an estimated P375,000 worth of properties, she added.

Zamar said that arson investigators have yet to determine the cause of fire.

Mayor Joedith Gallego inspected the fire scene and talked to some of the affected residents.

Based on the data from the local government, 35 families or 114 individuals were affected by the fire.

The city government has already extended assistance to the fire victims who are temporarily sheltered at the barangay hall.