Texas Fire Claims Three

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (AP) - A little girl who jumped out of her second-floor bedroom window was the only survivor of a house fire Tuesday that claimed her brother, mother and father, fire officials said.

``The rest of the family perished,'' fire chief Andy Cardiel said. ``It appears her young brother awakened the family and informed (them) there was a fire. For some reason it appears his action led to his sister surviving the fire.''

Cardiel said both children were around 10 or 11 years old.

Names were not immediately released Tuesday, but Cardiel said the father was a local doctor.

A neighbor called the fire department at about 4 a.m., Cardiel said. It took them about two hours to contain the fire.

The mother also jumped from the window, but apparently died from the jump, Cardiel said. He said a medical examiner would determine the exact cause of death.

The father and brother did not escape, Cardiel said.

Cardiel said the blaze appeared accidental but that an investigation was underway.