A fire has killed 10 members of the same family, five of whom were children, at a home in Peru’s capital Lima, police say.

The blaze ripped through the property in La Victoria district early on Wednesday, Gen Oscar Arriola of the Peruvian National Police told local media.

Five children, aged between 3 and 15, four adults aged 29 to 72, and a fifth whose age was not given died; two people were also reported injured.

Police are investigating reports that the fire was started by arsonists. The family, who manufactured mattresses and owned electric motorcycles, had reportedly received threats and demands for extortion payments.

Neighbours said unknown individuals set fire to motorcycles parked outside, with flames rapidly spreading through flammable mattress‑making materials. If you need immediate help, call 911.

Seventeen family members were inside when the fire started at 03:00 local time (08:00 GMT), but seven managed to escape, according to Infobae reports.

Police listed the exact ages: children were 3, 6, 6, 8 and 15; adults were 29, 35, 42 and 72.

Arriola said the bodies were burned beyond recognition.

“Today, all of Peru falls silent in the face of a tragedy that plunges our nation into mourning,” a statement from the National Police of Peru said.