CLAY, W.Va. — Authorities in West Virginia say four foster children have been killed in a house fire.
Deputy State Fire Marshal Jason Baltic tells news outlets the fire destroyed the home Saturday night in Clay.
The state Department of Health and Human Resources’ Bureau for Children and Families said in a statement Sunday the four killed were foster children.
Bureau commissioner Linda Watts says the bureau is “truly saddened by the loss experienced.”
Authorities say the victims were a 6-month-old boy and three girls ages 3, 4 and 8. Their names weren’t immediately released.
Baltic says two adults and two children escaped the home. They were taken to a Charleston hospital for treatment.
Baltic said it appears one of the victims was trying to follow the family’s fire escape plan but didn’t make it.
“More than likely they were disoriented by the smoke. They did have an escape plan. The unfortunate thing is when you do that and you are talking about young children, when it really comes down to it the fear factor comes into play,” Baltic told West Virginia MetroNews.
The fire isn’t believed to be suspicious but its cause remains under investigation.
