Kids home alone escape house fire

Two children were rescued from a burning house in Limassol, while police arrested their parents who were not present when the fire broke out.

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According to local reports, a 12-year-old girl and her 3-year-old brother were home alone when a fire broke out in the living room on Monday late afternoon.

Preliminary reports pointed to the little boy as a likely cause of the fire, with officials seriously considering the possibility that the child could have been playing with a lighter. The girl was said to have been sleeping at the time.

The parents, described as Syrian and Polish nationals, were not at home during the incident according to Cyprus News Agency (CNA).

A neighbour who realised there was a fire starting in the house quickly took action, running to the middle of the road on Troodos Street, Agios Ioannis area, and stopping a passing car for help.

The lady and the driver of the car reportedly raced to save the two children, as fire fighters were arriving at the scene. The kids were said to be in good health.

It was not immediately clear if any otyher incident preceded the fire or what were the charges for the arrest of both the father and the mother. Media reports said Social Services officials have been asked to take part in the investigation.