Short circuit possible cause. (archive)
Photo: AFP
Bethlehem: Mother, five children killed in fire
Short circuit apparently cause of fire which cost lives of six family members, leaving only father alive, in critical condition. PA launches inquiry
Tragedy in Bethlehem. Six members of the same family died Thursday morning in a fire which was apparently caused by a short circuit in their house in Bethlehem.
The Palestinian police stated that the victims are the family's mother, Fatma Abd al-Rahim and her children, aged 3, 7, 8, 12 and five months. The father was critically wounded.
During the early morning hours neighbors of the family reported the fire to authorities. It apparently broke out 20 minutes earlier as a result of a short circuit. A local official told Ynet that the family members died of smoke inhalation.
The Palestinian Authority launched an investigation into the incident and will examine whether the short circuit was caused because the family had been illegally connected to the electricity system.
