Fire in Peru kills 10 people including 5 children

Ten people, including five children, died in a devastating fire that swept through a low-income neighborhood in Peru's capital, Lima. The blaze also destroyed two homes and left two other individuals injured, according to Peru's civil defense.

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There are 17 of us. Ten have died and seven of us were saved.

Relatives confirmed that five of the deceased were adults and the other five were minors. Police chief Oscar Arriola stated that nine members of a single family, five of whom were children, were among the victims. An investigation has been launched to determine the fire's origin, circumstances, and causes.

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nine members of one family, five of whom are minors

Peruvian media reports have pointed to extortionists threatening local businesses as a potential cause, suggesting the fire might have been deliberately set. Colonel John Lujan, leading the investigation, indicated that a "possible deliberate act or a case of extortion" is being explored as a cause.

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to determine the point of origin, the circumstances, and the causes of this fire

Gina Vilchez, a survivor, recounted her escape with her children, stating, "There are 17 of us. Ten have died and seven of us were saved." Peru's president-elect, Keiko Fujimori, visited the site, condemning the deaths as a "terrible massacre" and vowing to prioritize order and security upon taking office.

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a possible deliberate act or a case of extortion