Los Angeles  - A man dressed as Santa Claus opened fire at a Christmas party, then set the house on fire, killing at least eight people before committing suicide, police said Thursday.

The attacker was named as Bruce Jeffery Pardo, 45. The party was at the house of his former wife's parents. The gruesome incident happened in the quiet middle class suburb of Covina, about 30 kilometres east of Los Angeles.

Police said Pardo was let into the party by an eight-year-old girl who thought he was there to entertain the children. Once inside, witnesses said, Pardo pulled out a gun from beneath his costume, shot the girl in the face and then sprayed the approximately 25 guests with bullets.

He then set the house on fire with a home-made device that was wrapped up to look like a Christmas present.

Hours later, Pardo's brother called police to say that he had shot himself to death. Police found Pardo in his brother's home with a single gunshot wound to the head. The victims were not immediately identified by police. (dpa)