💔 “ONE LAST MEAL” TURNED TRAGIC: SINGLE MOM LOSES TWO CHILDREN IN FIRE JUST HOURS BEFORE STARTING NEW LIFE IN ILOILO

Bacolod City, May 20, 2025 — What was meant to be a fresh start for a single mother and her two children turned into an unspeakable tragedy.

In the early hours of Tuesday morning, a fire tore through a home in Purok Lison, Barangay 1, Bacolod City, claiming the lives of two young siblings, aged 8 and 6, while their grandfather, Lolo Eduardo Gutierrez, narrowly escaped with burns on his face and body. The suspected cause? A candle—used due to lack of electricity—left burning as the family prepared to leave for Iloilo the next morning.

A Mother’s Hope, Shattered in an Instant

According to the grieving mother, she had packed their bags and secured a job in Iloilo, hoping to raise and educate her children on her own after separating from their father. She was only away briefly that night—fulfilling a simple request from one of her kids who asked for food.

“I just stepped out for a short while to buy what they wanted,” she shared, her voice trembling. “When I came back… they were gone. My babies were gone.”

Final Moments of Two Innocent Lives

The children, a boy (8) and his younger sister (6), were reportedly asleep inside the house when the fire broke out around 1:00 a.m. Their grandfather, who was with them, tried desperately to rescue them but was overpowered by the flames. Despite suffering burns, Lolo Eduardo survived, but the children perished before firefighters could reach the scene.

Authorities are investigating the incident, with early findings pointing to a candle as the likely ignition source—tragically common in areas without access to electricity.

A Celebration That Will Never Come

The mother, now left with only memories, shared that they were already planning her daughter’s 7th birthday on June 9. “She was so excited,” she whispered, tears streaming. “She even picked out the cake design.”

What was supposed to be the beginning of a new chapter turned into a nightmare that no parent should ever endure.

A Cry for Help, A Call for Compassion

Neighbors and netizens are expressing outrage and heartbreak over the incident. Many are calling for better fire safety support in impoverished areas, especially those without electricity, where candles are still a daily necessity.

Support has started to pour in online for the bereaved mother and grandfather. Local officials are also coordinating aid for the family’s medical and burial expenses.

“This Is Every Parent’s Worst Fear”

Netizens have flooded social media with messages of condolences and solidarity using hashtags like #JusticeForTheSiblings, #BacolodFireTragedy, and #NeverAgain.

One comment reads: “This is every parent’s worst fear—leaving for a moment and returning to find your world gone.”