In brief
A blaze early Wednesday at a La Victoria home claimed the lives of ten people, including five children, according to police. Investigators suspect arson following extortion threats to the family, who made mattresses and owned electric motorcycles. The fire spread rapidly, destroying mattresses and igniting parked motorcycles. Seven survivors escaped while the rest were found burned beyond recognition. The incident has left Peru in mourning.
A devastating fire in the southern La Victoria district of Lima on Wednesday claimed the lives of ten people, police reported, including five children aged 3‑15.
The blaze erupted at about 3:00 a.m., spreading quickly through the family’s home, where mattresses were manufactured and electric motorcycles parked. The flames set the mattresses alight and then ignited the motorcycles.
Police suspect arson after the family had received threats and demands for extortion payments. Seven members survived, but ten others were found burned beyond recognition.
According to the National Police, the victims were five children (3, 6, 6, 8, 15) and five adults (29, 35, 42, 72, and an unnamed adult). Two people were injured.
The tragedy has plunged the nation into mourning, the police said.
