House cared for children with disabilities
ROLLA, MO -- Update: April 22 at 10:20 a.m.
Names have been released in the fire in Rolla that killed three.
Authorities said Linda Light, 39, died in the fire along with a 10-year-old boy named Ben and a 16-month-old named Brooklyn. Light's mother operates the private home which serves disabled children.
Light lived next door to the house.
Authorities also released what they believe was the cause of the fatal fire. Fire authorities think a faulty toaster was the source of the blaze.
Residents across Mid-Missouri are taking donations for the Light family.
Where Ya Headin' bookstore in Holts Summit is collecting items and will drop them off at the end of the month.
A Facebook page has been created where various collections are being announced for the Light family.
Update: April 21 at 11:30 a.m.:
Phelps County authorities haven't released the names of the victims, but Deputy Fire Chief Eric Nylander said the victims were a woman who lived next-door, a 10-year-old boy and a 16-month-old girl.
Coroner Larry Swinfard said the cause of death was likely smoke inhalation. The four injured were treated at a hospital and released.
Update: April 20 at 6:10 p.m.:
A spokesperson with the Phelps County Sheriff's Department says the house that caught fire in Rolla was a privately run group home for about 14 people with development disabilities.
Mike Kirn also said the woman killed was the adult daughter of the group home owner. A 10-year-old and an infant also died.
The Associated Press is reporting that the 10-year-old is a girl, while a teacher from Wyman Elementary School tells KRCG that the 10-year-old victim is a boy.
The woman who owned and operated the home was among four people injured and taken to Phelps County Regional Medical Center for treatment along with three other children.
The hospital said all four injury victims have been treated and released.
No cause has been determined. An investigation continues.
Original Story:
A morning house fire in Rolla has claimed three lives, according to the Phelps County Coroner.
The fire started just before 9 a.m. at a home located two miles south of Rolla on Highway 63.
Firefighters reported seeing people alive inside the home when they arrived, but said they couldn't get to them.
Authorities say the woman who owns the home cared for children with disabilities.|
The coroner reports that those killed are a woman, a 10-year-old and an 11-month-old.
Authorities have not said if the woman is related to the children, but the Coroner told KY3-TV in Springfield that the woman went back into the home to rescue the children.
The Rolla Rural Fire Protection District along with several neighboring fire agencies worked to extinguish the blaze.
(CNN and the Associated Press contributed to this story)
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