TWO boys aged 5 and 15 were burnt to death while their 12-year-old cousin sustained serious burns when their home caught fire
The incident took place in Ficksburg in Free State yesterday.
Two of their other cousins, aged 15, escaped unharmed and called for help.
The children were alone at the time of the fire since their grandmother was away in Lesotho attending a funeral.
Ficksburg police spokesperson Captain Phumelelo Dhlamini said: "It is alleged that the children fell asleep while a candle was still burning in their bedroom.
"At about 12.30am the bedroom they were sleeping in was engulfed in flames. Parts of the eight-roomed house also caught fire."
He said the two cousins who escaped alerted neighbours, who helped put out the fire using buckets of water.
The badly burnt 12-year-old girl was taken to Ficksburg Photholoha Hospital for treatment.
Dhlamini said the South African Social Security Agency and provincial department of social development had pledged to donate food and clothing to the family living at 3638 Meqheleng.
Dhlamini said the grandmother was back at home and was deeply shocked by the incident.
Anyone who would like to help the family can call Dhlamini on 082-554-3293 or 051-933-9682.