Three Children Dead after MD Townhouse Fire; FF Injured

Three children younger than 12 died in a residential fire early Monday that also sent a Maryland firefighter to the hospital.

The fire broke out just after 2:20 a.m. at a two-story townhome in Hillcrest Heights, WBFF-TV reports. After reaching the scene, Prince George's County crews pulled two children from the burning residence while working to put out the flames.

The children were taken to the hospital, where they later died from their injuries. A third child was found dead within the house.

"This is a nightmare situation," Jennifer Donelan, the public information officer for Prince George's County Fire and EMS, told WBFF. "The three fatalities are all children under the age of 12. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, we know they are grieving. This is a tough situation, and this is a tough situation for our firefighters."

A firefighter suffered minor burns during the call and was taken to the hospital. Two adults and a child were able to safely escape the burning townhouse before crews arrived.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.