Seven people died and another five were injured when a residential house in southwest China's Yunnan Province caught fire early on Sunday.

Police said they suspected arson, but declined to give details.

Fire broke out in a home in Xiangcheng township of Xiangyun County in the Bai Autonomous Prefecture of Dali at around 0:03 am, the public security bureau of Xiangyun county said.

Six people were killed on the spot and another one died later at hospital.

The five injured are being treated at the People's Hospital in Xiangyun County.

The ancient city of Dali is one of the most renowned tourist attractions in Yunnan Province.

(Xinhua News Agency May 12, 2008)