Reports reaching this publication indicate that a fire has destroyed a house in the village of Chaundwa in Nkhata Bay district, resulting in the tragic death of a three-year-old child.

The deceased has been identified as Winnie Banda, who was sleeping in a thatch house.

According to police spokesperson Kondwani James, the child’s father was working in their field preparing for planting, while the mother had gone to fetch water.

During this time, they accidentally set a fire in the field. James reported that the fire spread to their house, and they were unable to rescue the child, who was trapped inside as the entire house was consumed by flames.

A hospital report indicates that the child died from suffocation and burns.