Wellington - Four children died when a forgotten pan of potatoes burst into flames starting a blaze that gutted a house in the Auckland suburb of Mangere Tuesday morning, the Fire Service said. Three girls aged 15, 11 and 9, and an infant boy died of smoke inhalation.
Two other children in the house survived and were taken to hospital while two other people sleeping in an outhouse at the back of the house were also reported safe.
Two adults identified as Misi Sau and his wife Fetu were badly burned trying to rescue the children and were reported in critical condition in hospital.
Local fire chief Larry Cocker told reporters the blaze started when oil left in a pan on the stove ignited, setting the kitchen on fire which spread rapidly through the house.
"The Fire Service's message out of this is: 'Never leave cooking unattended,'" he said, adding that there were no smoke alarms in the house.
