HUMPHREY, Ark. (AP) -- Flames roared through a mobile home, killing five young boys from three families, along with the mother of one of the youngsters, authorities said.
The fire broke out Wednesday evening, destroying the mobile home, which was engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived.
Investigators did not know how the blaze began or why no one could escape.
The children ranged in age from 8 months to 4 years. The woman who was killed was in her early 20s. Authorities did not immediately release their names.
''We're thinking possibly the children were just there being babysat,'' state police Sgt. Ron Stayton said.
Rachel Whiteside, mother of two of the children who were killed, told Little Rock television station KTHV that she had just dropped her two sons off for a ''play date'' about 10 minutes before the fire broke out.
''If there are any young parents out there, love every minute, every second with your child. Tell them every day that you love them, because in seconds, they are gone, just like that,'' she said.
School officials canceled Thursday classes in Humphrey, a town of about 800 people about 40 miles southeast of Little Rock.
Arkansas County Sheriff Allen Cheek said the whole community was ''hurt and devastated.''
''I'm sure nobody's going to be able to go home and sleep at night because it's going to be on their mind. I know I won't,'' Cheek said.
