Ranchi, Feb 23 (IANS): A man hacked five of his extended family members to death, including three teenage nephews on Saturday in Jharkhand's Seraikela district, police said.

The incident took place at Purisilli village earlier, when Chinnu Soren, 40, first attacked his elder brother Rabi Manjhi, 45, and then his family and hacked them to death with a sharp edged weapon.

Soren also tried to kill another of his brother and even his mother, who have been admitted to hospital.

After killing Rabi Manjhi and his family, Soren set their house on fire, Seraikela Superintendent of Police Chandan Kumar Sinha told reporters.

Besides Manjhi, those who lost their lives were his wife Parvati, 30, and their three children -- Jeetan, 15, Suresh, 13, and Paresh, 11.

The villagers informed the police that Soren, who was then arrested, is mentally ill. The reason for the mass killing was still not clear.

Soren consumed liquor on Friday night and slept in a neighbour's house. He returned home early on Saturday morning and attacked the family, the police was told.