The Bacolod Bureau of Fire Protection is still investigating the cause of the fire that took the lives of a grandmother and her four grandchildren in Purok Bulgan, Barangay 1 in Bacolod City, Tuesday.

Chief Insp. Bartolome Beliran, city fire marshal, said yesterday that they believe the fire was electrical in nature, and started from the ceiling, of the second floor of the house owned by Mary Saltore.

The grandson of Saltore, whose name was not disclosed, allegedly saw the fire at the ceiling of their house, Beliran said.

Killed in the fire were Norma Pido, 69, and her grandchildren Rasheed Gally, 11, Julina Channel Gally, 9, Jumar Hemsly Gally, 7, and Angel Katrina Pido, 13.

The grief-stricken family of the five are asking the public to respect their privacy, as they are still in the state of mourning.

The five charred bodies now in caskets, lie in state at the Rolling Hills Memorial Chapel at Lacson Street in Bacolod City.

A member of their family told the media that they are no longer giving more details since it just adds to their grief. The bodies will be buried after 15 days, he added.

Norma, the mother of broadcaster Rommel Pido, appeared to be shielding her grandchildren from the blaze, as shown by the positions of their piled-up charred bodies.

The father of the Gallys, a seafarer, had boarded in a ship in December and is out of the country.

The Pido and Gally family need prayers, as well as moral and financial support to give Norma and the kids a decent burial, a source close to them said.

Meanwhile, the individuals affected by fire, who are temporarily staying at the Andres Bonifacio Elementary School II, also need assistance.

A total of 27 families, consisting of 76 individuals were affected by fire, Pacita Tero, officer-in-charge of the Department of Social Services and Development, said last night.

Eight houses were destroyed and seven were damaged, Tero also said.

The BFP placed the properties lost at about P200,000, Beliran said.

He said the area hit by fire in Barangay 1 had narrow pathways, making it difficult for fire fighters to penetrate the area, and for residents to leave their burning houses.

The rushing in and out of residents trying to save their belongings also made it difficult for firefighters to immediately clear the area, Beliran said.

He said the BFP is strengthening their fire prevention campaign in communities by organizing fire volunteer brigades and providing fire prevention information and fire safety consciousness through the Barangay Ugnayan program.

House-to-house campaigns, especially in congested barangays, will also be intensified, Beliran said.

The BFP also gives recommendations on what to do in the barangays. However, unlike private institutions, communities cannot be made to face sanctions if they do not comply, he said.

Discipline among individuals in the community is needed for them to fully practice fire awareness and safety, and avoid losing more lives in fire, Beliran also said.*SGG

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