By JAMES APA GUMUNO
FOUR persons, including a pregnant woman, were burnt to death when fire razed a two-storey house in Kundiawa town last Sunday morning.
The house owner and a man who were sleeping on the ground floor of the house escaped unhurt.
The fire was believed to have been caused by a candle lit downstairs although police have not ruled out the possibility of arson.
Provincial police commander Supt Joseph Tondop said the victims – a couple, their four-year-old son and an elderly man – were from Banz in Western Highlands and were in Kundiawa for a family gathering.
He said the woman was six months into her pregnancy.
He did not identify her but said she was from Mingende in Kerowagi district of Simbu, while the husband was from Milne Bay province.
Police are questioning the two men.
Mr Tondop advised residents to ensure that they put out candles before sleeping or leaving the house.
They should use lamps instead if necessary, he said.
He said that two weeks ago, another four-year-old child also died in a fire believed to have been started from a candle.
The parents went out after putting the child to sleep.