Bacolod fire kills 17
DSSD reports, but fire chief
says only 16 bodies found
BY CARLA GOMEZ

Cries for help could be heard from beyond the flames on All Soul’s Day but rescuers could not get through.

The blaze suspected to have started from a candle on the first floor of a boarding house in Barangay 19, Bacolod, at 1:19 a.m. yesterday swiftly ate up the stairs blocking off the exit of those on the second floor, prompting one man to jump out of a window to call for help, but the building made of wood soon collapsed.

When the fire was put out at 4:08 a.m. fire fighters dug through the rubble and found 16 charred bodies ranging from an 11-month-old baby to a 70-year-old woman who were all occupants of the boarding house, FO3 Cornelio Silva of the Bacolod Fire Station said.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo extended her sincerest sympathies and condolences to the families of the fire victims that hit Barangay 19, Bacolod City, Undersecretary and Deputy Presidential Spokesman Anthony Golez Jr. said yesterday.

Despite his  hectic schedule, Golez arrived last night to personally visit and meet with the family of the victims and to make his personal assessment on whatever assistance he may extend them.

Bacolod Rep. Monico Puentevella, VCongressional candidate Ricardo “Cano” Tan and mayoralty candidate Vladimir Gonzales were also at Brgy. 19 yesterday to distribute relief assistance to the fire victims.

Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia yesterday issued an executive order declaring a week of mourning from November 2 to November 8 for the victims of the tragic fire incident in Barangay 19 early morning yesterday, and to honor and remember them.

Leonardia said the whole Bacolod community is grieving over the tragic loss of many lives in the fire that ravaged lives and property in Barangay 19.

Leonardia, with Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson, the Sangguniang Panlungsod members and other city government officials, strongly encouraged all Bacoleños to condole and support those who have lost their loved ones in the tragedy, and those who are recovering from the physical and psychological wounds caused by the incident.