Three members of the same family have died from severe burns in Chipangali District at the Giveway trading area after their house caught fire, while one person is battling for his life at Chipata Central Hospital.
The cause of the fire is yet to be officially established, but preliminary investigations suggest a possible electrical fault and an explosion of petrol stored on the property.
The incident, which happened around 22:40hrs, claimed the life of a woman, her two young children, and critically injured her husband.
A visit to the scene by Diamond News revealed that the fire was largely contained to the living room, sparing the kitchen and a bedroom.
Another room, which contained containers of petrol, was also a point of interest, as the husband is reported to have been selling fuel in the area.
According to eyewitnesses and neighbours, Aliness Nyirenda, 27, and her children George, 5, and Cecilia, 1 were found dead in the living room after neighbors extinguished the blaze.
The husband and father, James Ngondo, 42 sustained serious burns and was hospitalized.
Eastern Province Police Commanding Officer Robertson Mweemba confirmed that an inquiry file has been opened and the bodies have been taken to a hospital mortuary for post-mortem examinations.
By Samuel Khwawe
