Talisay City Fire Destroys Home of HMUA
NICOLE LEONG – A freelance hair and makeup artist (HMUA), was devastated after her home was destroyed in a massive fire in Talisay City, Negros Occidental.
On Tuesday, February 4, 2025, at around 1:10 PM, a fire engulfed 50 homes in Purok Pasil, Barangay Zone 5, Talisay City. Due to the tightly packed houses and narrow pathways, firefighters struggled to contain the flames, as only fire truck hoses could reach the area.
The fire started deep inside the neighborhood, making it difficult for responders to access the source immediately. Many residents were caught off guard, with some still asleep when the fire broke out. Fortunately, they managed to wake up and escape in time.
According to witnesses, strong winds caused the flames to spread rapidly. Reports from the Talisay Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) indicated that the fire reached the second alarm and burned for more than two hours before being declared under control at 3:34 PM. The affected area spanned approximately 1,500 square meters, with damages estimated at ₱525,000.
Firefighters from Bacolod BFP, Amity Fire Brigade, Chamber, and the Fire Rescue Unit of Talisay CDRRMO assisted in battling the fire. Thankfully, no casualties were reported. Authorities from the Talisay City Fire Station are currently investigating the cause of the fire and determining where it started.
Among those affected was Nicole Leong, who dreamed of becoming a professional hair and makeup artist. In a social media post, she shared before-and-after photos of her home, now reduced to ashes. Sadly, all her hair and makeup tools were also destroyed in the fire.
“I dreamt once becoming a professional Hair and Make up artist but now it was burnt into ashes,” she wrote. Her post generated mixed reactions from netizens, with some expressing sympathy toward her.