Three family members were burnt to death on Monday dawn when a fire ruined a nine-bedroom house at Asuoyeboa in the Kwadaso Municipality of the Ashanti Region.

The 45-year-old mother, Felicia Owusu, and her two children, who slept at the time of the incident, got trapped in their room.

The Obed Owusu, 11, and Christabel Owusu, 19, were heard shouting for help but they could not be saved.

The father, however, managed to escape with the support of some residents, but he sustained injuries.

He is currently receiving treatment at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.

The intervention of firefighters prevented the spread of the fire but five of the ten bedrooms were destroyed.

This brings to 18 the total number of deaths through fire outbreaks in the Ashanti region since the beginning of the year.

The regional public relations officer of the Fire Service, Peter Addai, said the cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Preliminary information indicates the fire started in a room where mattresses, which the deceased's mother sells had been packed.

The fire officers say locked-up burglary doors prevented the family from escaping.

Mr Addai advised the public to install emergency exits in homes.