A ONE-YEAR-OLD baby in Mkushi has been burnt to death while its mother, who started the fire in a suicide bid, is nursing serious burns in hospital.

The woman, identified as Juliet Kapindula, poured kerosene on herself and the baby and started the fire.

Central Province police chief Standwell lungu confirmed the incident which occurred in the early hours of yesterday.

Mr Lungu said the incident happened at the woman's family house in Showgrounds area in Mkushi.

He said the incident happened around 01:00 hours yesterday and that the body is in the mortuary while the woman is battling for her life in Mkushi District Hospital.

Mr Lungu said the woman allegedly strapped her baby to her back before dousing herself with kerosene.

She then set herself and the baby ablaze.

He said the reason for the action has not been established.

Meanwhile, lightning has killed two members of the same family in Mbala and left three others with serious burns.

The three survivors are admitted to Mbala General Hospital with second degree burns after lightning struck the family, whose house later caught fire.

Northern Province deputy police chief Lackson Sakala identified the deceased as Harriet Mubanga, 33, and the youngest son Isaac Mazimba, who were burnt to ashes.

Mr Sakala said police officers had been dispatched to retrieve the bodies from the burnt house and would be taken to Kasama General Hospital mortuary.

Meanwhile, two pedestrians died on the spot after being hit by a Mistubishi Progress on Mpika-Kasama Road.

Mr Sakala said the driver of the vehicle, Adrian Chisanga of Lusaka was detained and charged with causing death by dangerous driving.