Fire kills 3 kids

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Three minor siblings were killed yesterday afternoon when their house at Purok Kawayan in Barangay Handumanan, this city, was razed by fire, including four other houses.

The victims were identified as Riza Montero, 16, and a mute, Rex Montero, 7, and a certain Kulot Montero, 3, according to Barangay Councilman Jojo Hiponia, in an interview with Aksyon Radyo-Bacolod.

Badgit Teopiz, the victims' aunt, said the children were sleeping when the fire broke out around 2 p.m. She said that the victims were crying: "Lola, Lola, please help us here!" However, she failed to rescue the three because the fire spread quickly.

An overcharged cellphone was reportedly cited by investigators as the cause of the fire. — (FREEMAN)