An unattended candle is thought to be the cause of a massive house fire which left three children dead and, their sister battling for life in the hospital.
The incident happened some time lastnight in Springfield, Westmoreland.
It’s understood the children were at home with their father, when a candle was lit as a result of a power outage in the area.
The father reportedly left the house and shortly after was alerted to the building being on fire.
The father managed to rescue his daughter from the blaze, but the intensity of the flames made it difficult to rescue the other three children, all boys, who perished.
Damage caused by the fire is estimated at two million dollars.
The news of the major tragedy comes only hours before the start of the new academic year.
