Burmese Muslim school hit by deadly blaze in Rangoon

A fire at a Muslim school in the Burmese city of Rangoon has killed 13 children, officials say.

Police officers said the fire was caused by an electrical fault and not due to any criminal activity. Most of the children escaped unharmed.

The fire comes amid an upsurge in violence between Buddhists and Muslims.

At least 40 people have been killed since 20 March and curfews have been imposed in some areas.

Police spokesman Thet Lwin told the AP news agency the two-storey building - part of a mosque - in eastern Rangoon sheltered about 75 orphans.

Most of the children escaped by running out of a door after police knocked it open, he said.

Fire crews put out the blaze and the building is reported to be badly burned but intact.

President Thein Sein has warned that the government will use force if necessary to stop "political opportunists and religious extremists" from fomenting hatred between faiths.