4 kids die in twin fires

MANILA, Philippines - Four children aged two to seven were killed in fires in Mangaldan, Pangasinan and Butuan City in the past two days, authorities said.

Venez Anexa de los Santos, 2, and her elder sister Zarirh Dana, 3, were trapped in their burning house in Barangay Bari, Mangaldan town.

Their parents failed to rescue them as they were trying to salvage their belongings when the fire struck Tuesday noon.

In Butuan City, siblings Junrey, 7, and Diane Sagado, 5, were also trapped when a fire engulfed their house in Barangay Obrero before dawn yesterday.

It was the third fire to hit the city since March 7. The two previous fires left one dead and nearly 900 residents homeless. – Eva Visperas, Ben Serrano