SPOKANE, Wash. — An overnight house fire ended in tragedy, taking the lives of two young children inside.
The Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) responded to a reported house fire just before 3 a.m. Monday. When they arrived, extensive flames were coming out of the house, so the call was upgraded to a working fire. Officials learned two children and two dogs were inside the home.
Firefighters were able to get the two children out of the home and provide life-saving measures to each child for 45 minutes. Unfortunately, the two children died at the scene.
Spokane County Sheriff's Cpl. Mark Gregory said the children were believed to be seven and nine years old.
“This morning is a tragedy for this family, for our community, and for our Firefighters,” said SVFD Fire Chief Frank Soto Jr. “It is times like this that remind us to cherish each moment we have with our loved ones. As we move into colder temperatures and the holidays, please be as safe as possible with electrical outlets, holiday decorations, space heaters, candles, anything that can start a fire. And, if a fire occurs, call 911 immediately so we can get there as quickly as possible.”
Two dogs also died in the fire, and a firefighter and the children's father were injured, according to responding crews.
"Our hearts this morning are going to be with the family dealing with this tragedy," said Patrick Erickson, SVFD media manager.
Investigators spent all day Monday sifting through rubble trying to determine what caused the devastating fire. Outside the home, neighbors and friends mourned the loss of the two young lives.
David Backus, a neighbor of the family, said his eight-year-old son became recent friends with the two children living in the home. Breaking the news to his son, he said, wasn't easy.
"As a dad, my first thoughts were the safety of my kid," Backus said. "And then secondly, empathy for my kid because these were my kid's friends and I would have to tell him. And I didn't want to. That could have potentially happened while my kid was over at that house."
A GoFund Me has been organized for the family of the two children. To donate, click here.
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