Bacolod City (CNN Philippines) — A blaze destroyed 46 houses and damaged four more at the coastal area in Barangay 2, Bacolod City, Monday evening (January 11).
Residents jumped into the sea and swam to the shore to save their lives, while some were rescued by boats.
Around 200 families, including sharers and renters, lost their houses to fire.
According to Fire Officer 3 Marc Stephen Trajeras, chief investigator of Bacolod Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), they had difficulty in penetrating the area because of the narrow pathways.
“Although the houses were above the water, the fire was not put out immediately because of narrow pathways and the houses made of light materials, were very close to each other,” said Trajeras.
The BFP’s investigation showed that an unattended lighted kerosene lamp caused the fire.
According to Trajeras, the blaze originated from the home of one Espie Yanson, located in the center of the affected area, and spread to nearby houses.
No one died during the incident but several pigs were trapped and burned, while one of the residents, identified as Rex Villamor, 37, suffered difficulty in breathing.
Trajeras said the damage caused by the fire amounted to P200,000.
The fire survivors temporarily stayed at the Barangay 2 hall, day care center, and in makeshift tents at the basketball court.
On August 25, 2015, a fire also destroyed 30 houses in Barangay 2.
