MUAR, March 29 — Four children were killed after they were trapped in a burning house along Lorong Haji Muhammad, Jalan Ismail in Kampung Sabak Awor here tonight.

The victims, consisting of two girls, aged six and four, together with two boys, aged three and eight, were found in the bathroom of the house by firefighters.

Muar Fire and Rescue station operation commander Deputy Fire Superintendent II Shahrizal Mokhtar said that they received a distress call of a fire at 7.49pm.

Following that, he said a total of 20 firefighters from Muar and Bukit Gambir Fire and Rescue stations were dispatched to the scene.

"The firemen were assisted by two Fire Rescue Tenders (FRT) and an Emergency Medical Rescue Services (EMRS) unit,” he said in a statement tonight.

Shahrizal said upon arrival at the scene, firemen found that the fire involved a large semi-permanent house.

He said the fire had destroyed about 80 per cent of the house.

"After extinguishing the blaze, firemen then started searching for survivors,” he said.

Shahrizal said that the children were later found in an unconscious state in the bathroom.

However, he said further examination by medical officers confirmed that the children were dead.

"The entire operation ended at 9.52pm,” she said, adding that the cause of the fire and estimated losses were still under investigation.

The victims’ remains were later handed over to the police for further action.