By JEN BAYLON

Two children died in a fire that razed their house at Purok Lison in Bacolod City’s Barangay 1 early yesterday morning.

Siblings eight-year-old Gabry Jhon Gutierrez and six-year-old Audrey Shantel Gutierrez died in the blaze, while their grandfather, 63-year-old Edwardo Gutierrez, sustained injuries, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-Bacolod said.

The children, who were trapped inside the bedroom, were unrecognizable, BFP-Bacolod Fire Officer 2 Rolin Paulan said.

Firefighters found no signs of forced entry or padlocks on the house’s door.

Meanwhile, Gutierrez sustained second-degree burns to his face, forehead and right arm due to the fire.

Paulan said they received a fire call at 2:19 a.m. and found the nipa hut on fire upon arrival.

Firefighters tried to pull and connect water hoses to reach the burning house as narrow pathways hindered their access, Paulan said.

The blaze, which caused about P3,000 worth of damage to property, was extinguished at 2:33 a.m.

An initial investigation indicated that an unattended lighted candle on top of a table near the children’s bed started the fire, but BFP-Bacolod is still gathering evidence.

Paulan said they received a report stating that there was no electricity supply in the area before the blaze.

Investigation also indicated that the siblings’ parents were not around when the fire occurred.

Starved

In a radio interview yesterday, the siblings’ mother said she went out around 2:00 a.m. to buy food because the children were starving.

She had hoped to return to the joyful sight of her children eagerly awaiting their meal.

An hour later, she was shocked to learn that the fire had already broken out.

Despite rushing back, she was unable to save her children.

The children’s grandparents, residing in Iloilo, have decided to take custody of the siblings’ belongings and continue their education there, given the family’s difficult circumstances in Bacolod.

Meanwhile, the Bacolod City Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) has extended assistance to the family affected by the fire.

DSSD head Dr. Richelle Verdeprado-Mangga confirmed that the city government has provided food and non-food items as immediate relief for the fire victims.

A social worker was dispatched to the family’s home to provide psychological first aid and emotional support.

Furthermore, the DSSD is processing burial assistance amounting to P20,000 for the two deceased minors, and P15,000 in fire assistance for the family./JB, WDJ