HOUSTON --
A mother and one of her sons escaped from their burning northeast Harris County home, but her two other sons did not make it out, KPRC Local 2 reported.
The brothers, ages 6 and 9, died inside a trailer near Aldine Mail Route and Luthe Road shortly before 6 p.m. Monday.
"The flames were as high as a tree," said a 13-year-old neighbor. "Smoke covered the street."
Aldine volunteer firefighters arrived at the home about three minutes after they received the call. It took them about five minutes to knock down the flames, but it was too long for the boys.
The mother and her 11-year-old son got out of the home after the fire erupted. Relatives said the mother broke a window to try to get back into the trailer to rescue the boys.
Mary Huff, 31, was hospitalized with third-degree burns and cuts to her arms. Her 11-year-old son, Trevor, escaped without injury.
Family members said the younger boys suffered with autism.
The family has been devastated emotionally and financially. Huff did not have a job because she cared for her sons full time. Relatives were working to set up a fund to take donations to help the family.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
