Beijing, Jan 4 : Seven children died of burns in China's Henan province Friday in a fire that engulfed an orphanage, Xinhua reported.

The fire, which occurred at 8.30 a. m. in a house in Lankao county, was contained within two hours, a government official said, adding that four children died at the site while another three perished on way to hospital.

The house was apparently being used as a private orphanage, as residents said a woman named Yuan Lihai used the home to shelter orphans and abandoned children.

The cause of the fire could not be immediately ascertained. (IANS)