S Africa orphanage fire kills 15

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A fire has swept through an orphanage in South Africa killing 15 people including 12 children, officials say.

Nine people were injured in the fire at the Hope in Christ Home orphanage in Newcastle in the eastern province of KwaZulu-Natal, police said.

South Africa's Sapa news agency said the person in charge of the home, her four children, eight orphans and two other adults died in the fire.

An investigation has begun into the cause of the blaze.

"Police were called to the scene at 0600 (0400GMT) and the house was still alight," police spokesman Jay Naicker said.

"Police helped the fire department to put out the fire but it was too late, the house burnt down."