House fire kills 39 people including 17 kids after blaze rips through building during party
The victims were trapped inside the house in the town of Ambalavato, rural centre of Madagascar, on Saturday night
A HOUSE fire has killed 39 people - including 17 kids - after it raged through a party on Saturday.
The blaze ripped through a house in Ambalavato village in Madagascar leaving the property almost completely destroyed.
A 14-year-old boy managed to escape the devastation by jumping out the window, but later died from his injuries in hospital.
Villagers scrambled to rescue the people trapped inside but could not open the door as they were reportedly collapsed against it - inadvertently barricading themselves in.
Fire crews rushed to the scene, but flames took over the entire top floor and obliterated the roof.
Police spokesman Anthony Rakotoarison said: "Thirty nine people were killed by the fire - 38 of them died on Saturday, another victim passed away today."