Initial investigations have revealed that the fire which destroyed a house in Tabicola, Labasa on Sunday morning started from unattended cooking.

Divisional Fire Officer Northern John Pillay said the owner of the house went to harvest cane while his wife left for the farm after cooking breakfast.

Their two children who were sleeping were inside the house when it caught fire.

The two brothers aged 9 and 13 were trapped inside the burning house and suffered more than 45 percent burns.

They were rescued by a neighbour and are currently admitted at the Labasa hospital.