Tragedy in South Polk County, 2 Children Perish in House Fire, SCHWAB CITY, January 9, 2009 - At approximately 10:15 pm on January 8, 2009 a house fire was reported in Polk County at a house located at the end of Bird Road off of Highway 146. Personnel and trucks from Livingston, South Polk County, Scenic Loop, and Onalaska Volunteer Fire Departments responded to the house that was fully involved had two children trapped inside. Firemen sprayed the house with hoses coming from at least 5 different fire engines. The children perished and the parents were badly injured as the mother was life flighted to Houston for treatment and the father was transported to Livingston Memorial Hospital with injuries from the fire. The fire was out by around midnight. Investigators from the Polk County Sheriff's Office and the Polk County Fire Marshall's Office began an investigation into the cause of the blaze. Sheriff Hammack, Chief Byron Lyons, DPS Trooper Brent Murray and multiple units from the Sheriff's Office assisted in the emergency operation. The child victims are reportedly an 11 year old girl and her 9 year old brother. Justice of the Peace Precinct 3, Larry Whitworth performed an inquest at the scene. A body car from Cochran's Funeral Home transported the young victims away from the scene. According to neighbors, the young family had only moved into the wood structure home in November. The exact cause of the fire is under investigation.
Firemen get oxygen refills and head right back in to the burning structure.
Sheriff Hammack (right) confers with his top two men.
Judge Larry Whitworth (checkered shirt) performed an inquest.
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