4 kids die in Guimaras fire

ILOILO CITY, Philippines  – Four children died in a fire that destroyed their house in Nueva Valencia, Guimaras on Sunday.

Gerwin Bayatan, 10; her sister Nikka, 4; Gwen Gelanda, 4, and her sister Racel, 3, were asleep when the fire broke out at past midnight, according to Guimaras police director Senior Superintendent Ricardo dela Paz.

The house, located in Barangay Poblacion, is owned by the Gelandas, whose parents were in Iloilo City to attend to a sick relative.

Dela Paz said the children were left in the care of Gemma Bayatan, mother of Gerwin and Nikka.

Bayatan reportedly went to nearby Barangay Concordia for an unknown reason, and it was not known whether there was someone watching over the children.

Dela Paz said the fire could have been sparked by faulty electrical connections.