Father and young son killed in ethnic clash at 8-mile

The duo were killed while sleeping when the house was set on fire (Image: Supplied)

A father and his young son, believed to be between 5 and 6 years old, were killed on Sunday morning after their home was set ablaze during a violent ethnic clash at 8 Mile back road, Port Moresby.

NCD/Central Commander Assistant Commissioner of Police Benjamin Turi reported that the fight erupted between Eastern Highlanders and Southern Highlanders following a drunken brawl.

During the confrontation, a young man from Eastern Highlands was attacked with a bush knife. In retaliation, Eastern Highlanders allegedly set fire to houses belonging to Southern Highlanders. One of the homes had the father and child inside at the time of the attack, and both perished in the fire.

The violence escalated further when a man from Hela Province, married to a Southern Highlands woman, was fatally struck with bows and arrows.

The house burned down in the early hours of Sunday morning (Image: Supplied)

The clash lasted for about two hours before reinforcements from the Special Services Division arrived and restored order.

Fire services and ambulance teams assisted in recovering the bodies of the victims, who have been taken to the morgue.

Police have since brought the situation under control, but ACP Turi said tensions remain high in the area.