ULAN BATOR, Feb. 6 (Xinhua) -- A fire in Mongolia's capital Ulan Bator has claimed the lives of four family members, local media reported Thursday, citing police.

The blaze broke out in a traditional ger, a round-shaped dwelling, in Bayanzurkh district on Wednesday night, killing a man in his 40s and his three children, aged one to 11.

An investigation is underway to find out the cause of the fire.

Housing remains a critical issue in Mongolia, particularly in Ulan Bator, where more than half of the country's 3.5 million people reside.

Over half of the capital's residents live in ger districts, where access to basic infrastructure such as running water, central heating and sewerage systems is lacking.

As a result, many rely on burning processed fuel and other flammable materials to stay warm and cook during the long and harsh winter. The city frequently experiences fires and other winter-related hazards, often linked to heating methods and fuel sources.

In a similar recent tragedy, six members of a family in the Bayangol district died from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning in late January. Preliminary findings suggest that they suffocated while using improved fuel for heating. Enditem

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