Global General

3 children, 2 adults die in Netherlands housefire

(Agencies)
Updated: 2011-07-05 15:50

AMSTERDAM - Emergency services say they have found the bodies of three children and two adults in a house that was gutted by a fierce blaze in the early hours of the morning.

Spokesman Sander van Schagen of the Kennemerland Security District told local broadcaster Radio TV Noord Holland that firefighters discovered the bodies in a house in Hoofddorp 20 kilometers (12 miles) southwest of Amsterdam at 2 a.m. (0000 GMT) Tuesday.

Neighbors reported a small explosion in the house, but it was not immediately clear if the blast caused the fire or was triggered by the flames.

Police are investigating the identity of the victims and the cause of the blaze.