MARION COUNTY, Fla. --
Five children are dead Tuesday morning and three adults are hospitalized after a fire swept through their Citra home in northern Marion County.
Marion County Fire Rescue firefighters from seven stations responded the residence on NE 182nd Place at 10:34pm Monday night. Upon arrival within eight minutes, at 10:42pm, the approximately 1,400 square foot wood frame structure was completely engulfed in flames.
"My cousin came out and saw that there was fire. He heard people screaming and then he told my mother to call 911, and then we came running down and we saw the whole house engulfed in flames," said Heather Lister, neighbor.
Firefighters immediately began to rescue occupants from the burning building. Two adult females, ages 54 and 31, were transported to Munroe Regional Medical Center, and a 21-year old female was flown to Shands with first and second degree burns to her face and upper body. The women are the childrens' grandmother, mother and aunt.
Two unresponsive pediatric females, ages 6 and 12, were transported to MRMC and Ocala Regional and were confirmed deceased at their respective hospitals.
Three young males, ages 8, 13 and 15, also perished in the home fire. There were eight total occupants in the home.
The cause of the fire is under investigation and the State Fire Marshal's Office is the lead investigating agency.
Copyright 2010 by wftv.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
