Four family members died when their house caught fire while sleeping in Aweil South County, Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, at the weekend.
The victims, who were three siblings – aged 8, 10, 11 – and their 52-year-old grandmother – burnt beyond recognition, police say.
“We lost them on the same day after a man, whom intentions are still unknown, set the bushes on fire – which later escalated to the grass-thatched house, burning the occupants beyond recognition,” said Maj.-Gen Philip Madut, police commissioner.
He said the fire incident took place at a village in Majak-Goi Payam on Saturday evening.
A 45-year-old man, identified as Ngor Ngor Ngor, is being held over the incident, the police officer stated.
“He was later arrested in Wanyjok, Aweil East County, when he was trying to run away,” he added, adding that he could not name the victims due to the sensitivity of the matter.
Early this month, a 4-year-old girl died in a fire incident at Pan-meth village near Aweil town due to what officials thought was negligence.