THE total number of houses destroyed in a fire that hit the coastal area in Purok Cagaycay, Bacolod City on Monday, June 10, 2019, has reached 224, the Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) official said Tuesday, June 11.

Pacita Tero, head of DSSD, said the affected families also increased to 242, or a total of 999 individuals.

The fire victims are still temporarily staying at the Andres Bonifacio Elementary School-II Gymnasium.

Tero said the affected families might stay in the area for two weeks.

“They still need our assistance like food, kitchen wares, clothes, beddings and pillows,” she said.

Fire broke out in the house of Elbert Deo, 34, at about 3:49 a.m. Monday.

It immediately spread to other houses made of light materials. No injuries were reported.

Investigation conducted by arson investigator Fire Officers 2 Carlo Mallari and John Mondido showed that the fire started at the kitchen of Deo.

Deo voluntarily surrendered to Police Station 2 after he was “accused” along with his live-in partner of intentionally setting their house on fire.

He denied that there was a commotion between him and his live-in partner before the fire incident.

He said he voluntarily surrendered to clear his name, while his live-in partner is nowhere to be found.

Arson investigators are still conducting further investigation to determine the cause of the fire.

Meanwhile, Police Captain Leo Estopa, chief of Police Station 2, said the reglementary period of Deo will lapse at 6 p.m. and the investigation is already turned over to the Bureau of Fire Protection.

He said the BFP will determine if he will be charged with arson.