Eastern Cape children die in shack fire

Two children from Libode burnt to death while their mother was out drinking, Eastern Cape police said on Monday.

Warrant Officer Dineo Koena said the two- and five-year-old were left alone in a shack on Saturday when a candle they had used to light the room sparked a blaze.

"It is alleged that their mother locked them inside the house with the candle lit and went to the tavern while their father was at work as a security guard," Koena said.

Neighbours tried to force open the door from the outside while the five-year-old also battled to unlock it from the inside.

Both children died on the scene. The mother was arrested for child neglect.

- SAPA