Update: Fatal West Monroe House Fire Victims Identified

Update:
The two children that died in Monday's house fire in West Monroe have been identified.

They are 3-year-old Gwendolyn McMurray and 16-month-old Emma McMurray.

Ouachita Parish Fire officials say both girls died in the Bennie Breece Street fire.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Their father was also injured in the fire. He's now being treated at the burn unit at LSU Shreveport Hospital.



Gwendolyn McMurray



Emma McMurray



Monday:

WEST MONROE -- Two children are dead and a their father injured in a West Monroe House fire.

The fire happened around 1 p.m. Monday afternoon on the 1500 Block of Bennie Breece Street, just off Thomas Road.

Tragically, fire officials confirmed hours after the fire that the blaze claimed the lives of two young children -- a three-year old and a 16-month old.

One witness, Parker Curtis, describes seeing the fire -- he was one of many who dialed 911.

"The deputy and I, we tried to go around the back of the building to see if we could do anything, but it was totally engulfed," said Curtis, who lives nearby. "The man that ran out of the house said there was two kids in the house and there was no way we could get in there, it was all pretty engulfed."

Officials say the fire started in the room where the children were located.

Fire investigators say the father, who was home at the time, escaped but tried to go back into the home to get the children. He suffered burns and was taken to a hospital where he was listed in stable condition Monday evening.

We're told by officials on scene that the mother was also taken to the hospital for stress concerns.

The Ouachita Parish Fire Department -- who is investigating the fire -- said although it took them 20 minutes to put out the fire, the flames has fulled engulfed the home when they had first arrived.

"The fire department was right behind us. They did what they had to do," said Curtis.

Curtis Meachem with the Ouachita Parish Fire Department said they found one item in the room that they're into.

"I did find out that they did not have working smoke detectors in the home," he added. "Anyone out there that does not have working smoke detectors, contact your local fire department and they will put those out for you."

Utilities were working at the home at the time of the fire, so Entergy crews were called out to shut off the electricity and repair the lines.

On Monday night, Fire investigators spend hours combing through the home, which is considered a total loss.

Investigators say they will continue to work through the week. They said the State Fire Marshal's Office is even coming in with a sniffing dog to assist the investigation.

NBC 10 News learned that the home is rented out to the family by the homeowners, who came by the house Monday evening to speak with investigators.

Officials have not released the identities of the fire victims at this time.


Update:
Two children are dead and a their father injured in a West Monroe House fire.
The fire started at 1p at a home located on Benni Breece Street, just off Thomas Road.
The victims are three years-old and a 16 month-old.
The Ouachita Parish Fire Department is investigating the fire. They say the fire started in the room where the children were located. They also say the home did not have a working smoke detector.
We're told the mom was not home at the time of the fire. She has since been taken to a local hospital for stress concerns.
NBC 10 News has a crew on the scene and will have updates throughout the afternoon and a live report tonight on NBC 10 News at 5p & 6p.


Earlier:

Ouachita Parish Fire Crews are working a house fire in West Monroe.
The home is located on Benni Breece Street, just off Thomas Road.
No word yet on what may have started the fire or if any injuries are being reported.
NBC 10 News has a crew on the scene and will have updates throughout the afternoon and a live report tonight on NBC 10 News at 5p & 6p.