A devastating house fire in Peru’s capital, Lima, has claimed the lives of 10 members of the same family, including five children, in one of the country’s deadliest residential fire tragedies in recent years.
_x000D_Police have launched an investigation into the incident after reports suggested the blaze may have been deliberately started.
_x000D_ _x000D_Deadly Fire Breaks Out Before Dawn
_x000D_The fire erupted in the early hours of Wednesday at a family home in Lima’s La Victoria district.
_x000D_According to Peruvian police, the flames spread rapidly through the building, trapping several family members inside while they slept.
_x000D_Emergency crews rushed to the scene, but the intensity of the fire made rescue efforts extremely difficult.
_x000D_ _x000D_Five Children Among the Victims
_x000D_Authorities confirmed that the victims included five children aged three, six, six, eight and 15.
_x000D_The remaining victims were adults aged 29, 35, 42 and 72, while the age of one additional adult has not been released.
_x000D_Police said the bodies were severely burned, making identification extremely challenging.
_x000D_ _x000D_Seven Family Members Escape
_x000D_Seventeen relatives were inside the house when the fire broke out.
_x000D_Seven people managed to escape the burning building, while two others reportedly suffered injuries and received medical treatment.
_x000D_The survivors are receiving assistance as authorities continue investigating the tragedy.
_x000D_ _x000D_Police Investigating Possible Arson
_x000D_Investigators are examining whether the fire was intentionally started.
_x000D_Local media reported that unknown individuals allegedly set fire to electric motorcycles parked outside the family’s property before the flames spread into the building.
_x000D_The home also served as a mattress manufacturing workshop, and the highly flammable materials inside caused the fire to spread rapidly.
_x000D_ _x000D_Family Reportedly Faced Extortion Threats
_x000D_According to local reports, the family had previously received extortion demands connected to their business.
_x000D_Police are investigating whether the suspected arson is linked to those threats, although no official conclusions have been announced.
_x000D_Authorities are gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses as part of the ongoing investigation.
_x000D_ _x000D_Nation Mourns the Victims
_x000D_The National Police of Peru expressed condolences to the victims’ relatives, describing the tragedy as a heartbreaking loss for the country.
_x000D_Officials vowed to conduct a thorough investigation to determine the exact cause of the fire and identify those responsible if criminal activity is confirmed.
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