Voodoo ritual sparks fatal New York apartment fire

[Gerald]

An apartment fire in New York City that killed a retired school teacher last weekend was sparked by candles lit for a voodoo ritual to bring good luck, city officials have said.

The blaze began after a woman visited the apartment of a man in Brooklyn and paid him to perform the ritual.

Candles on the floor then ignited bed linen either while the couple were having sex or briefly afterwards.

It is not known if intercourse was part of the ceremony, city officials said.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-12585706


Note: 26 February 2011 Last updated at 00:52 GMT