Sept. 26--Two children died early Thursday morning when fire roared through their Burke County home, authorities say.
Four other people were injured, including a N.C. Highway Patrol trooper who tried to save the victims, according to officials.
The victims were ages 6 and 11.
Burke County Emergency Communications says the fire was reported about 3 a.m. at a duplex on Old Laurel Road, in the Connelly Springs area.
Firefighters found flames coming from the windows, doors and roof when they arrived. It took crews more than a half-hour to bring the blaze under control.
Burke County authorities say two families were living in the home. Four people living in the lower level were not hurt.
Five people were living in the upper level. In addition to the two fatalities, three other people were taken to CMC Morganton with apparent smoke inhalation.
The state trooper also was taken to the hospital in Morganton, suffering from smoke inhalation.
Crews from the Hildebran Fire Department are working to determine a cause of the blaze.
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