Woman and children die in Swedish blaze

A woman and three children died in a house fire in southern Sweden, police said today.

Police spokesman Lars Nygren said a fourth child suffered life-threatening injuries in the blaze, which started at the family’s house in Staffanstorp in the early hours.

Mr Nygren said police were treating the fire as suspected arson because it was so widespread, but said this may change.

He added that technicians would start investigating the cause of the blaze immediately.