BACOLOD CITY – A mid-morning fire in Bacolod City on Thursday hit 19 houses, and the illegal manufacture of firecrackers in the area is being eyed as one of the possible causes.

The fire in Purok Bagong Katilingban in Barangay 40 broke out around 10:30 a.m..

Most of the residents whose houses were hit by the fire became distraught, while others got angry because nothing was left of their belongings.

Despite efforts of responding firemen from the city’s Bureau of Fire Protection, 15 houses were fully gutted while 4 others were partially damaged.

A total of 20 families lost their homes.

The fire reportedly started at the house of a Tessie Empasi.

Probers, however, were still determining whether an unattended cigarette butt or firecrackers from illegal make-shift factories of firecrackers in the area caused the fire.

The affected residents were expected to be given temporary shelter at a nearby school in Barangay Taculing.

Bacolod City officials, meanwhile, pledged to provide the victims with financial assistance through the city’s Department of Social Services and Development.

Due to the incident, authorities reiterated a warning against the illegal manufacture of firecrackers. They also alerted the public to be vigilant in their area for such activities so that such a tragedy which befell the fire victims would be avoided.