Two Pakistani children burn to death in UAE fire

Sharjah - The parents and the other family were unharmed in the incident.

Two Pakistani children have been killed in a fire that erupted in their home in the Al Ghafiya area in Sharjah.

The two children -- aged seven and nine -- were living with their parents along with another family in an old traditional house in the area.

The operations room of Sharjah Civil Defence received information around 3pm on Saturday that a fire had broken out at the home, prompting firefighting personnel and fire engines to rush to the site to begin battling the blaze, which spread through the house quickly and completely gutted and charred the property.

The parents and the other family were unharmed in the incident. Forensic and fire experts cordoned off the house to begin an investigation and determine where the children had been. The bodies were transferred to Sharjah Forensic Laboratory, and -- after completion of the proper legal and administrative procedures -- the bodies were handed over to the family, and were buried on Sunday evening.

Sharjah Police officials say that an investigation into the incident is under way. Authorities in both Sharjah and Dubai have recently launched awareness campaigns to educate families about the importance of preventive measures such as fire extinguishers, alarm systems and fire exits.

• Sharjah