BURKE COUNTY, NC — Investigators said the fire that destroyed a Burke County home Thursday morning, killing two children, possibly started near a sofa in the living room.
Firefighters arrived at the blaze at about 3 a.m. Thursday. Ten people lived in the home.
The father of the children and a N.C. Highway Patrol trooper tried to rescue the children but were forced back because of the intense flames and smoke.
The other residents escaped the fire.
An autopsy on the bodies of the two children will be conducted today at Baptist Hospital, the fire marshal said.
Findings from the autopsy may be ready to be released by next week, at the earliest.
This morning, a memorial for the 11-year-old boy and 6-year-old girl who died is outside the home on Old Laurel Road.
Firefighters say a local fencing company stopped by after hearing about the tragic fire and offered to put up a fence around the home for the family to secure it.
WSOC
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