AN ELDERLY woman died while two young women were injured in a fire that hit Calong-Calong Zone 1, Barangay Singcang-Airport in Bacolod City past noon Friday, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said.
Superintendent Rodolfo Denaga, city fire marshal, said Marivic Cabinbin, 60, died due to cardiac arrest when she learned about the fire, but her own house was not razed.
The injured were not identified, but they are of legal age, he added.
They sustained minor burns when they tried to put out the fire.
The fire destroyed 13 houses and damaged three others, leaving an estimated damage of P500,000.
At least 90 individuals and 17 families were affected by the blaze which started at the house of Irene Sanz Baldivia around 12:35 p.m.
Firefighters from BFP in the cities of Bago, Silay, and Talisay assisted the Bacolod firemen. They declared a fire out past 2 p.m.
Arson investigators have yet to determine the cause of the fire.
Singcang-Airport village chief Rosinie Distrito said five families were temporarily sheltered at the barangay chapel while others stayed at their relatives’ houses.
Barangay officials and personnel of the Department of Social Services and Development distributed assistance such as food and clothes.
Meanwhile, in Barangay Cabug, a stock room was hit by fire that damaged an estimated P100,000 worth of items. No injury was reported.