7 Children, 2 Adults Killed in House Fire

An early morning fire broke out at a crowded house, killing seven children and two adults. The fire was so hot it scorched the frame of the home jet black and forced back neighbors who rushed to help.

Eleven people were in the house when the blaze started about 3 a.m. The victims were ages 4 to 34, and at least one of the children was at the house for a sleepover.

An investigation into the fire’s cause centered on the house’s first floor, which sustained heavy fire damage. The second floor, where all the bodies were found, was heavily damaged by smoke and soot, investigators said.