P4.3-M properties lost in blaze

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – A total of 20 families, including persons with disabilities (PWDs) and tenants, were affected following a fire that razed the Home for the Blind at Purok Paglaum, Barangay Mansilingan here last Saturday.

Fire Officer 2 Rolin Paulan, arson investigator of Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-Bacolod, said the blaze broke out around 1:18 p.m. from the second building of the government-run facility under the Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD).

The fire then spread to the first building and also affected three houses, he added.

Two buildings and a house were destroyed, while two other houses were partially damaged, according to Paulan.

The structures are made of mixed concrete and light materials, he added.

Paulan said that based on circumstantial evidence, the BFP is looking into electrical ignition as a possible cause of the blaze.

However, they have yet to determine the occurrence of the ignition.

The fire left an estimated P4,320,000 worth of damage, affecting a floor area measuring 360 square meters.

Fire out was declared around 1:46 p.m. No injuries were reported.

Meanwhile, the 83 individuals who were affected by the blaze are temporarily sheltered at the Barangay Mansilingan gymnasium.

The local government here has provided hygiene and sleeping kits, a bag of groceries, and folding beds for the victims.