A Peru fire in Lima killed 10 members of the same family, including five children, as police investigate whether arson sparked the blaze.
A Peru fire tore through a family home in Lima and killed 10 relatives, including five children, police said. The blaze broke out early Wednesday in the southern La Victoria district and left the city’s police force investigating whether arson was involved.
Gen Oscar Arriola of the Peruvian National Police told local media that the fire spread through the property at about three in the morning local time. Authorities said the victims included children aged three, six, six, eight and 15, along with four adults aged 29, 35, 42 and 72. A fifth adult’s age was not given. Two other people were also reportedly hurt.
Police are examining reports that the Peru fire may have been started by arsonists. Local media reported that the family made mattresses and owned electric motorcycles, and had received threats and demands for extortion payments. One report from Andina said neighbours believed unknown people set fire to motorcycles parked outside, and that the flames then raced through materials used in mattress-making.
Infobae reported that 17 family members were inside the building when the fire began, but seven managed to get out. The National Police of Peru said in a statement that the country was in mourning after what it called a tragedy. The investigation is still underway. For ordinary families, the case is a stark reminder of how quickly violence and fire can turn a home into a disaster zone.
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