Damascus apartment blaze kills seven children, as gas shortages hit Syria

Seven siblings were killed in Damascus after a fire broke out on Tuesday night, Syria's state news agency has reported.

The children who died were aged between three and 13.

Syrian authories have not confirmed how the blaze on the fourth-floor apartment in Damascus' old town started, but the fire brigade suggested an electric heater could be to responsible, according to SANA.

The fire brigade said the fire caused an artificial ceiling to collapse inside the apartment, although the news agency gave no details about how the blaze was started.

The bodies of the siblings were taken to a nearby hospital, state news reported, with no mention of what happened to their parents.

Prime Minister Emad Khamis was photographed at the scene of the blaze speaking with locals. Images of the gutted apartment were also shared on SANA.

Syria has been hit by a deadly winter storm, which has left at least 13 refugee children dead.

Regime-controlled areas have also been hit by gas shortages, with huge queues for canisters.

The situation has caused unrest is some cities such as Latakia, according to opposition media.