A fire swept through a house in Lahore in eastern Pakistan before dawn on Wednesday, killing six children and four adults, most of them from the same family, police and rescue officials said.
Two women, two men and six children aged between six and 16 lost their lives, deputy inspector-general of police in Lahore, Ali Nasir, said.
He said the cause was not immediately clear, but police investigators suspect an electrical short-circuit started the fire in the crowded Bhati Gate residential area.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif issued a statement expressing his deep sorrow over the loss of life.
Smoke detectors and other technology that can improve fire safety in residential buildings are not often used in Pakistan, and fires at homes and other public spaces like shopping centres are common.
