TWO children, including an infant, died in a fire that hit their house in Purok Riverside, Barangay Banago, Bacolod City on Monday afternoon.
The fatalities were identified as Rofil James de la Cruz, 5, and his one-year-old sister Jaylin de la Cruz.
City fire marshal Bartolome Beliran said they received a call at 3:32 p.m. that the house of Rofil de la Cruz was on fire.
When the firefighters arrived, the blaze had already spread to the entire house.
Beliran said the two children, who were trapped inside, were burned to death and their bodies were beyond recognition.
He said the blaze, which damaged about P60,000 in properties, was put out at 3:51 p.m.
Alma, 31, mother of the victims, told the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) investigator that one of her children was playing with an improvised lighter before the incident.
She said they were sleeping when the fire broke out. Her three-year-old son Alexis woke her up when their house was already on fire. She rescued Alexis, but her two other children were trapped.
City Social Services and Development officer-in-charge Pacita Tero visited the De la Cruz family to discuss the assistance they will receive from the City Government.
Beliran also reminded the public to be more careful and keep matches and lighters away from reach of children to avoid fire incidents.