Three children died early on Monday in an arson attack in the suburbs of Kaifeng, a historic city in central China's Henan province, police said.

The three, aged five to 12, were children of Li Shiji, a villager of Malou Village, Wulihe Township, according to a police source in Qixian County in the suburbs of Kaifeng.

Li said that about 3 a.m., he went out to use the toilet and left the front door unlocked. When he returned, he said, he saw someone pouring what appeared to be flammable liquid into his house.

According to Li's account, the individual then set the house on fire. Li said he caught up with the man and scuffled with him.

The person was later identified as Wu Peichao, a villager from another village in the same township.

Police are still seeking Wu, who escaped. His motive for setting the fire remains unclear.

(Xinhua News Agency August 5, 2008)