Improvised Mosquito Repellent Causes 81 Bacolod Homes to Catch Fire
FIRE – An improvised mosquito repellent cases 81 houses in Bacolod to catch fire.
A fire, believed to have been caused by burning cardboard egg trays used as improvised mosquito repellants, struck 81 houses in Purok Kagaykay, Barangay 2, at 3:26 a.m. on Wednesday, July 31.
Based on a report from Inquirer, the fire destroyed 73 houses and damaged eight, most of which were made of light materials, according to Superintendent Jenny Mae Masip, Bacolod’s fire marshal.
The estimated damage amounted to P1.4 million, reported the Bureau of Fire Protection-Bacolod. Around 344 residents were affected by the fire.
The fire originated from the house of Monaliza Magbanua, where a person known only as “Waldo” also lived, Masip said.
“Waldo” was believed to have ignited the fire by using burning cardboard egg trays as mosquito repellants.
Neighbors reported seeing “Waldo” trying to extinguish the fire with water, but it quickly spread due to the highly combustible materials of the house and surrounding structures.
“We are still very fortunate that there were no casualties or persons injured considering that the fire started early in the morning when most people were asleep,” she said.
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According to the report, Pauline Joy Ismael, 20, recalled being awakened by people shouting about the fire. She said they escaped with nothing from their home.
Emma Tesoro, 64, reported that thieves stole 14 cellular phones and P20,000 from her store, which was damaged by the fire. A house next door that she rented out was also destroyed.
Tesoro, who had worked in Kuwait for 10 years, moved to Purok Kagaykay about three years ago and used her savings to start her store, where neighbors pawned their phones and borrowed money. The stolen P20,000 was her working capital.
The Bacolod City government provided food aid, hygiene kits, and water to the affected families.
Families whose houses were destroyed would receive P15,000 each; those with damaged houses, P10,000 each; and house renters and sharers, P5,000 each, according to Bacolod social welfare officer Alma Gustilo.