Girl injured in Dumaguete fire

DUMAGUETE CITY — A 7-year-old girl was injured after a fire of unknown origin destroyed two houses and several motor vehicles in Sibulan, Negros Oriental, on Thursday, New Year’s Day. Capt. Stephen Polinar, spokesman of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office, said the fire was reported at 3:55 a.m. at a compound in Barangay Cangmating. Polinar said it was too early to determine whether the fire was caused by Christmas lights left switched on by the homeowners. Initial investigation reports showed that the fire also destroyed three motorcycles and a four-wheeled vehicle. The girl was taken to a hospital after sustaining burns on her shoulder. Polinar said no fire incidents related to Christmas and New Year celebrations have been reported in the province so far. Meanwhile, police are still consolidating data on firecracker-related injuries in Negros Oriental as of Thursday afternoon. Minor injuries were reported in Mabinay and Canlaon City. Polinar noted that police data may differ from that of the Department of Health, the primary agency for recording firecracker-related injuries.