Three children, including a nine-month-old baby, burnt to death in a Botshabelo shack fire on Saturday, Free State police said.
Constable Nomene Mokoale said the incident occurred when their mother left them alone in the shack they were living in.
The deceased were, a nine-year-old boy and two girls aged four and nine months.
“The 27-year-old mother allegedly locked her three children in their two roomed shack and went to a night vigil.
“It is alleged that members of the community noticed a smoke coming from the burning house and they alerted the police. Fire fighters were called and broke down the locked door, but it was too late.
“They were burned to ashes,” Mokoale said.
It is suspected that the mother left a candle lit, which caused the fire.
The woman was arrested and will appear in court soon. - Sapa