ATLANTA (AP) -- While a single mother was apparently working the night shift, her three unattended children died in a house fire despite efforts by neighbors to rescue them.
The body of 11-year-old Jasmine Jones was found in the home Saturday, Atlanta police Sgt. Kevin Iosty said. Her brothers, 14-year-old Christopher and 13-year-old Marty, were pulled from the front and back doors of the house but were pronounced dead at Grady Memorial Hospital.
The three appear to have died from smoke inhalation, fire officials said.
No adults were in the house when the fire was reported shortly before 3 a.m., said Capt. William Bostwick of the Atlanta fire department.
Police and neighbors said their mother, Christine Jones, worked at night several times a week.
Authorities were investigating whether any criminal charges should be filed against Jones, who neighbors said usually left an adult to watch her children.
According to witnesses, when Jones returned home about 7 a.m., unidentified men shouted at her that her children were dead. She collapsed and was taken to Crawford Long Hospital for observation and psychological evaluation.
Officials are investigating the cause of the fire, which apparently started in one of the boys' rooms.
The fire was moderate and contained within 40 minutes, but there was heavy smoke throughout the house, Bostwick said.
One neighbor, Vickie Harvey, said residents tried to rescue the children, but the front door was blocked by metal security bars. A neighbor managed to get into the house but couldn't see because the smoke was so thick, Harvey said.
Smoke detectors in the house apparently were working, officials said.
