SKOPJE, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- A 39-year old mother and her four children, aged from 4 to 13, were killed by a massive fire that broke out Wednesday in their house in Tetovo, western Macedonia.

Local police said that Fatime Zulbeari and her children were at home the moment when the fire started while her husband was at work.

Local residents in Tetovo told reporters that they couldn't help them as the fire spread quickly, engulfing also other houses nearby.

Uka Aliti of Tetovo fire department told reporters that the firemen could stop the flames from further spreading in neighboring houses but they couldn't save the mother and her children who were stuck by flames in the second floor of the building.

Meanwhile, public prosecutor office has started to investigate the cause of the fire. Enditem