On Wednesday, messages of condolences for the five boys were still being posted on Weibo.

"Hope they won't feel cold anymore in heaven," @Qingyu_aneya said.

@KongXia added: "Rest in peace, don't reincarnate in China..."

Referring to Beijing's decision to turn on the city's heating system two weeks early this year due to colder temperatures, one of China's most popular fairy tale writers, Zheng Yuanjie, posted: "Beijing spent 800 million [yuan] to start the heating system 15 days ahead of time, but you're out of the reach. Hope the 'The Little Match Boys' can forgive us in heaven."

The boys were Tao Zhongjing, 12; Tao Zhonghong, 11; Tao Zhonglin, 13; Tao Chong, 12; and Tao Bo, 9.