About P2.8 million worth of properties turned to ashes when fire, believed caused by an electrical short circuit, hit seven houses in Brgy. Calumangan in Bago City, Negros Occidental, Tuesday.

Fire Officer 1 Rudy Geroche, Bago City Fire Bureau arson investigator, told the DAILY STAR that the fire originated at the second floor of the house of Victoriano Bagulon in Purok Malungay in Brgy. Calumangan when the circuit breaker overheated.

Geroche said the fire spread and destroyed the nearby residences of Moises Mahusay, Hanolin Regalado and Jicky Descalsuta, and also damaged the houses of Lorenzo Robles and Apolonio Giganto.

Fire fighters from the city's fire bureau, and that of the Brgy. Sum-ag fire sub-station in Bacolod City, and volunteers of the Chinese Chamber Fire Brigades put the fire out at about 10:15 p.m. Nobody was injured.

Bagulon said they heard an explosion at the second floor of his house and then saw the fire spread rapidly. He said they failed to save their belongings except for the clothes they were wearing.

Brgy. Calumangan Captain Caroline Mendoza said the families affected by the fire are temporarily staying at the barangay hall.

The BFP is reminding the public once again to have their electrical connections checked by licensed electricians to avoid fire incidents.*APN

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