Eight people have died at eMpola, near Dassenhoek in the Pinetown area after a fire broke out at a house this morning (December 13) about 5am.
A nine-month-old baby and three children were among those who perished. A 58-year-old woman was the oldest victim.
According to police, matchsticks, along with two empty petrol containers, were found outside the house.
Members of the Organised Crime Unit are on the scene. Lt Col Vincent Mdunge said the motive for the killing was not yet known but police were continuing to comb the scene. There was speculation that bullet cartridges were found at the scene but Mdunge said this could not be confirmed.