A five months old baby has died of suspected suffocation and burns in Ntchisi after his angry father set ablaze their house just hours after failed marriage reconciliation talks with the wife to end a separation.

Ntchisi Police Station Public Relations Officer Yohane Tasowana said on Monday the baby died inside the burning house and the incident happened last night at Chiwombera village in the district.

Tasowana has identified the suspect as Boston Khwanya of Kandaya village in the area of Traditional Authority Kalumo in Ntchisi, who they have so far arrest and booked him to answer charges of murder and arson.

The deceased baby’s mother and grandmother, who were also sleeping in the same house, have survived the inferno with injuries and are currently receiving medical treatment at Ntchisi District Hospital.