A fire ripped through Hacienda Garazon in Barangay San Jose, Binalbagan last night, April 13, claiming one life and injuring others.
The Bureau of Fire identified the fatality as Salomi Del Prado, a 76-year-old resident of the area. Meanwhile, Oscar Mission, 51 years old, was reported injured in the incident.
According to Fire Officer 2 Joseph Salarda, Chief of the Binalbagan BFP Intelligence and Investigation Section, Del Prado, a bedridden, was unable to escape her house during the fire.
It is estimated that the damage caused by the fire, which destroyed four houses, amounts to over half a million.
Firetruck delayed
Residents said the town’s fire department failed to immediately respond.
In a statement the Binalbagan Fire Department confirmed that currently they are unable to respond to emergencies due to mechanical issues with their two fire trucks. Its Isuzu Lorry Tanker and Isuzu Morita pumper are both unserviceable, the statement added.
It has implemented countermeasures, including informing higher offices and contacting local mechanics for repairs, the statement said. They have also requested assistance from nearby municipalities in case of emergencies.
