Early Monday morning, a house fire in Hermitage, Tennessee, resulted in the tragic deaths of two four-year-old children. WSMV reports that Nashville Fire Department (NFD) crews were called to the 2000 block of Arbor Pointe Way around 4:30 a.m. following reports of a back deck on fire. Upon arrival, flames had spread into the roof of the home.
According to WKRN, a woman escaped the blaze with one child but informed firefighters that her other two children remained trapped inside. The mother and the escaping child were later taken to an area hospital for smoke inhalation treatment and are said to be in stable condition. Fire effort included an "aggressive" search for the two children, as the fire rapidly moved through the gables and attic of the residence.
In a statement obtained by FOX 17 News, NFD's Public Information Officer Kendra Loney expressed condolences, saying, "Our hearts go out to the family who lost two of their family members today." The children were eventually found and transported by medics for emergency care, but were confirmed deceased.
The aftermath of the fire revealed extensive damage to the house, with Nashville fire crews working on-site to extinguish remaining hotspots. The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department and the Youth Services Division will be assisting with the investigation into the children's deaths. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation, with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) also involved in the probe, as confirmed by the comprehensive coverage of the incident.
