LEXINGTON, Neb. (AP) -- A portable space heater sparked a house fire that killed a mother and her son, authorities said Wednesday.
The woman's husband and another son escaped the blaze at 9:45 a.m. CST Tuesday but remained hospitalized with smoke and burn injuries Wednesday, Dawson County Attorney Liz Waterman said.
Three daughters were in school at the time, Waterman said.
Fire Chief Bruce Benini said he was off-duty when he saw the fire but he could not enter the building because he was not equipped with protective gear. A fire truck arrived shortly afterward.
Fire officials concluded that a portable space heater had ignited some bedding, Waterman said.
Killed in the blaze were Maria Sanchez Garcia, 37, and Javier Garcia, 3, Waterman said.
Mrs. Garcia's 37-year-old husband, also named Javier, escaped the blaze along with their son, 3-year-old Jose. The two boys were not quite a year apart in age, Waterman said.
In Omaha, a man was killed in a house fire that happened at about 6 a.m. Tuesday, and a burning candle may have started that blaze.
Richard Sehi, 28, was pronounced dead at a hospital.
