Cries of residents, who included children, explosions, and sirens of fire trucks and ambulances were among the sounds one could hear in Purok Katilingban I, Barangay 39 in Bacolod City, when fire hit the place at about 12:35 p.m. yesterday.

Several men helped the fire fighters put out the fire through a water brigade while some elderly people, who could not stand the heat and tension, were given first aid by rescue teams.

Some of the residents were able to save a few of their belongings, but most of them lost everything.

About 125 families lost their homes in the fire that lasted for more than an hour, Bacolod Social Services and Development officer-in-charge, Pacita Tero, told the DAILY STAR last night.

Tero said 89 houses were destroyed and five were damaged by fire, adding that about 544 individuals, including several boarders working as salesperson and security guards were affected.

Chief Insp. Bartolome Beliran, city fire marshal of the Bureau of Fire Protection, said no casualties and injuries were reported, but about P2 million worth of properties were damaged by fire.

Residents blamed the rapid spread of the fire to the lack of water supply from the fire trucks.

Norma Rodriguez, 52, who became hysterical, complained that the fire would not have reached her newly-built house if fire fighters had immediately put it out.

Beliran denied the alleged water shortage, and said it was the lack of passage ways that caused their difficulties in penetrating the area where the fire started. The houses were made of light materials and were close to each other, he added.

The fire believed to be electrical in nature was placed under control at about 1:15 p.m. It allegedly started at the house of Omi and Butchoy Pitogo, Beliran said.

All the fire trucks of the Bacolod Fire Stations responded to the scene, as fire status had been raised to general alarm.

Meanwhile, the affected families were evacuated to the Saint Carmen Salles School, also in Barangay 39, that will serve as their temporary shelter, Tero said.

She said the evacuees urgently need food, beddings, clothing, and under garments. Anyone who wishes to donate can go directly to the evacuation center or to the SSD office at the Bacolod Government Center in Brgy. Villamonte.*SGG

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