US: Five children die in Pittsburgh fire

Fire swept through a three-storey home in the US early today, killing five young children believed to have been under a baby-sitter’s care at the time, Pennsylvania authorities said.

The victims, aged two to seven, were all found on the first floor. Two other children were taken to hospitals; their conditions were not immediately released.

Flames were shooting from all three floors of the building in the city’s East Liberty section when firefighters arrived at about 1.20am local time, officials said.

Police were looking for the baby sitter who apparently was supposed to have been watching the children, said Pittsburgh police spokeswoman Diane Richard. Authorities said as many 12 people from two families may have been living in the home.

The blaze also spread to a nearby vacant building, officials said.