GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- Two children were killed and three others were wounded in a house fire in Absan village east of Khan Younis in southern Gaza on Tuesday, medics said.

Medical sources told Ma'an that Wisaam Natheir Abu Tir, 11, and his brother Qassim, 5, died of serious burns. Three other children were wounded and transferred to Nasser hospital in Khan Younis.

Eyewitness said that the family members used a gas powered lantern for the home. Moath, 13, Maria, 7, and Mahmoud, 14 were injured. When the fire erupted, the children tried to extinguish it but failed.

Civil defense crews rushed to the area, and the police opened an investigation.