September 19, 2005 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SH2005-34) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION R. Steve Huffman Public Information Officer (251) 208-5806/Fax: (251) 208-5813 E-Mail: huffman@cityofmobile.org FAMILY OF THREE DIE IN HOUSE FIRE Mobile Firefighters responded to a house fire that claimed the lives of a family of three located at 1312 Brooke Avenue on Monday morning, September 19, 2005. Mobile Police Department responded to a call for a break in to a vehicle. Officers were walking between houses checking and discovered fire inside the one-story, wood frame structure and called for fire response. The Officers attempted to get into the house but were blocked by heavy smoke and heat. Mobile Fire-Rescue received the call at approximately 4:51 a.m. and arrived at approximately 4:54 a.m. and reported heavy smoke coming from the structure. Firefighters immediately made entry and discovered what was believed to be an adult male but later confirmed was an approximately 11 year old male. He was transported to Springhill Medical Center where he was later pronounced dead. Firefighters also pulled out an adult female, age unknown, and transported her to USA Medical Center where she too was later pronounced dead. Firefighter also discovered an approximately 13-14-year-old male who was pronounced dead on the scene. Names of the victims are pending on positive ID and notification of next of kin and will be released by Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences. The cause of the fire remains under investigation but appears to have originated in the front living room of the structure. There were two smoke detectors present but it is unknown if they were in working order. Engines 16, 9, 11, truck 24, rescues 24, 23 and District Chief Mark Hansberry responded to the call. ###