A fire in a slum in the central Philippines has killed 16 people, including several children.

The fire started in the early hours of Monday and spread quickly through a wooden two-storey building in Bacolod City fanned by strong winds.

More than 60 nearby shanties were also gutted.

"Some mothers perished with their children," Pamela Candido, a fire marshal, said.

"It was really tragic."

Several people reportedly leapt from windows, but others did not wake up in time.

An investigation is under way to determine the cause of the blaze.

Police have said the fire may have been started by a candle lit by one of the residents to honour the dead on All Souls' Day.