According to Chakra Thapa, a Non Resident Nepali based in Waimate, Tej Kafle, 39, his wife Tika Kafle, 38, and their nine-year-old son Prem, died when a fire broke out at Everest Indian Restaurent run by the family.  The fire is believed to have started in their private kitchen about at around 7:19 in the morning local time.

However, three sisters of Kafle faimly – Mamata, 12, Manisha, 16 and Tulsa, 23 – have have been injured. 

The surviving children were taken to Timaru Hospital with smoke inhalation and moderate injuries and were said to be in stable condition.

According to local police officer, three bodies were retrieved from different parts of the upstairs home.

The police are investigating the cause of the fire and the bodies would be handed over to the family after post-mortem.