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BACOLOD CITY?The death toll from the fire that hit a boarding house and sourrounding homes early Monday rose to 17 yesterday after the body of a woman was found underneath the rubble.
Bacolod Fire Chief Pamela Rojane Candido identified the fatality as Annavic Celiz, 26, whose family was also killed in the fire.
The bodies of Celiz common-law husband, fish vendor Joselito Cabajosa, 28, and their children ? Carl Joshua, 3; Analyn, 7; and Adah Pauline, 6 ? were found shortly after the fire was put out Monday morning.
Authorities said the fire, destroyed 59 houses and damaged four others. It was started by an unattended candle in one of the rooms of the boarding house.
All 17 fatalities were occupants of the boarding house.
Candido said a 59-year-old Gloria Abrigo, who stayed on the first floor of the building, had lit a candle and dozed off.
?We have witnesses that it was her candle that caused the fire,? Candido said.
Abrigo remained at the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital in Bacolod City with burns on the head, neck, arms and back, Candido said.
The boarding house, which housed mostly families of market vendors, did not have a business permit, Candido said.
Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia has issued an executive order declaring a week of mourning from Nov. 2 to 8 for the victims of the fire in barangay 19.
He asked all Bacoleños to offer a one-minute prayer for the victims at noontime during the week
Presidential Deputy Spokesman Anthony Golez extended his sympathies and condolences to the families of the fire victims.
Golez said Department of Social Welfare and Development personnel from Manila were sent to Bacolod to assist the fire victims.
He said the DSWD would give P10,000 for each fatality.
Golez said the families who were affected by the fire would also receive shelter assistance, but the amount has yet to be determined.
