Mother, daughter die in fire

OKAZAKI, Aichi Prefecture--A woman aged 35 and her 8-year-old daughter died in a fire at their home and restaurant here early Monday.

The fire broke out around 6:20 a.m. in the four-story building owned by restaurant operator Hidehiro Fukuta, 36, killing his wife, Sumiki, and daughter, Ruka, police said.

Their 3-year-old son, Gaia, was severely burned. He jumped from a window on the fourth floor and landed on a pile of futon set up by neighbors. Hidehiro survived by jumping from a window to the roof of a house next door.

Police said that when the fire broke out, Sumiki and the two children were asleep on the fourth floor, while Hidehiro had fallen asleep in the work area on the same floor after working late.(IHT/Asahi: May 6,2008)