FREMONT, Neb. --
A mother and her two children died in a house fire Monday morning in Fremont.
Fire crews were called to a house fire at 4325 W. 22 Street, after 3:30 am. Crews found the two-story home in flames, and smoke filled the neighborhood.
Joyce Bunn, 41, and her daughters, Kylie, 3, and Olivia, 2, were sleeping in upstairs bedrooms. They died inside the house.
A friend said Bunn had moved to Nebraska from Las Vegas about a year ago. She said Bunn was trying to get her life back on track.
"Joyce was a really wonderful person. I hope everyone remembers her and her beautiful children. She loved her kids more than anything in this world and did everything for them," said Christy Piti.
Firefighters said clutter inside the home may have prevented the mother and children from getting out. They also said, it made it difficult for rescuers to get into the house.
"Just too much stuff in the house," said Fremont fire Capt. Jamie Meyer.
The state fire marshal said it appeared that the victims tried to get out, but clothing and other personal items left in the hallways may have blocked their way.
Bunn's mother, Nancy Dohmen, was taken to a hospital with smoke inhalation and was listed in good condition.
Investigators said all three bodies had been found before noon. Investigators said it appears the fire started on the first floor of the home.
Neighbor Cheryl Hagen said she woke when the fire started, and is devastated that the family didn't make it out.
"Horrific, isn't it? It's been a dreadful day," Hagen said.
Firefighters said the emotion of dealing with the children's deaths is hard.
"Children always effect you differently. You try everything you can to get inside. But when you can't, you just can't. It's tough," said Meyer.
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