Lima residents heard the alarm bells as a fire tore through a family dwelling in the La Victoria district on Wednesday morning, claiming the lives of ten people, including five children, according to police reports.
The blaze ignited around 03:00 local time, according to Gen Oscar Arriola from the Peruvian National Police, and the building was severely damaged by the rapid spread of flames, especially through flammable mattress‑making materials.
Among those lost were children aged three, six, six, eight and 15; adults aged 29, 35, 42, 72 and one whose age was not disclosed. Two other residents sustained injuries. Of the seventeen occupants in the residence, only seven managed to escape.
Police officials are probing reports that the fire was intentionally set by arsonists. Local media, citing testimony from neighbours, highlighted that the family’s business in mattress production and ownership of electric motorcycles had previously attracted threats and demands for extortion payments.
One neighbor recalled that unknown individuals had set their motorcycles on fire outside the home, which ignited the surrounding premises. The National Police released a statement urging the country to mourn the tragedy and announced a substantial presence in the area to safeguard property from further criminal acts.
For further details, readers can refer to the Andina agency report or follow the ongoing coverage at the Infobae news site.
