Authorities in southeastern North Carolina are investigating a devastating overnight fire that claimed the lives of four young children who were home alone.
According to the Columbus County Fire Marshal, the blaze broke out around 2:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 30, in a small community in the county. Six children — ranging in ages from 2 to 12 — were inside the home without adult supervision at the time.
Two 12-year-olds managed to escape unharmed, but a 2-year-old, 4-year-old, 6-year-old, and 7-year-old were unable to get out and died in the fire.
The Columbus County Sheriff’s Office said the home was fully engulfed in flames when the first deputy arrived about nine minutes after the emergency call, making it impossible to enter the residence.
Community in Shock
Neighbors expressed heartbreak at the tragedy.
“I could just hear them laughing and playing all the time next door,” said longtime neighbor Melissa Long, who has lived in the community for nearly two decades. “It’ll be something that I can remember about them — hearing the laughs and playing. I was in shock … I have two children of my own, so it does open your eyes to realize how things can be taken so quickly from you.”
Investigation Underway
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), along with the fire marshal, is conducting a joint investigation.
In a statement, SBI said the children’s bodies were taken to the Medical Examiner’s Office for autopsy. More details may be released once the investigation progresses.
Unanswered Questions
Officials have not said why the children were left without adult supervision.
As the community grieves, investigators continue working to determine what sparked the fire and whether any charges could follow.
