3 Children Dead After Killeen Home Caught Fire

KILLEEN, TX. -- Three children have died as a result of an overnight house fire in southwest Killeen, according to kdhnews.com.

Justice of the Peace Bill Cooke declared the children dead between 1:30 and 1:40 p.m. Friday afternoon, and has ordered autopsies. Killeen police and fire departments remained on the scene in the 3100 block of Jason Cove, continuing the investigation into the fire.

Five engines responded to the fire when the call came in at 3:29 a.m. Friday, according to day shift Battalion Chief Keith Foxx.

The home was completely consumed by flames when the engines arrived. Two rescue units and a total of 24 personnel worked to put out the blaze, Foxx said.

Cory Harrington lived in the house, along with his nephew, the nephew's fiancee, and their three children.

Harrington was in the house at the time the fire started. He was asleep and heard a loud pop, he said. The children's mother also woke him. Harrington's nephew was not home at the time of the fire. 

While officials have not reported the children's cause of death, Harrington believes it was smoke inhalation. "The fire was so intense," he said.

There were smoke detectors in the house, according to Harrington, and he doesn't know the cause of the fire. "They haven't told me yet," he said.

The children's mother was transported to Metroplex Hospital for non-life threatening injuries. Harrington was treated at the scene for minor injuries.

The children all attended Sugar Loaf Elementary School, Harrington said. Officials have not yet released their names or ages.

The home is a total loss. Harrington has no place to stay and is hoping the American Red Cross will provide assistance to the family.