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Five children among nine dead in Memphis house fire Six children among nine dead in Memphis house fire
(about 5 hours later)
A house fire has killed nine people in Memphis, Tennessee, in the city's worst such tragedy in an almost century, say fire officials. A house fire has killed nine people in Memphis, Tennessee, in the city's worst such tragedy in an almost century.
Five children and four adults died in Monday's blaze, with another child in hospital fighting for life, according to Memphis fire services. Six children and three adults died in Monday's blaze, and another child is in hospital fighting for life, according to Memphis fire services.
A neighbour described firefighters sobbing as they carried children's bodies from the one-storey property.A neighbour described firefighters sobbing as they carried children's bodies from the one-storey property.
Officials are still trying to determine what started the blaze. An electrical malfunction in an air conditioning unit's power cord in the living room caused the fire.
It is the most deaths from a single fire in the city since the 1920s, said fire officials.It is the most deaths from a single fire in the city since the 1920s, said fire officials.
All four adults and three of the children were pronounced dead at the scene. Officials raised the number of children who died in the tragedy, after saying earlier that five young people had lost their lives, along with four adults.
Most of the victims were pronounced dead at the scene at the home in south Memphis.
Two other children died after being transported to Le Bonheur Children's hospital.Two other children died after being transported to Le Bonheur Children's hospital.
The children ranged in age from three to 17, family members told the Commercial Appeal.The children ranged in age from three to 17, family members told the Commercial Appeal.
"I've never seen firemen cry, but they were bawling like babies when they brought the children out," neighbour Shondra Hampton told the newspaper."I've never seen firemen cry, but they were bawling like babies when they brought the children out," neighbour Shondra Hampton told the newspaper.
Some of the victims had signs of smoke inhalation, while others had burns, said Memphis fire services.Some of the victims had signs of smoke inhalation, while others had burns, said Memphis fire services.
Fire Department Lt Wayne Cook said first responders arrived at around 01:30 local time.Fire Department Lt Wayne Cook said first responders arrived at around 01:30 local time.
It took them 15 minutes to extinguish the flames and remove the victims from the home.It took them 15 minutes to extinguish the flames and remove the victims from the home.
The fire began in the living room and only consumed about a fifth of the building, said fire officials.The fire began in the living room and only consumed about a fifth of the building, said fire officials.
But smoke spread throughout the home.But smoke spread throughout the home.
A smoke detector was found inside, but it is unclear if it was in working condition, according to reports.A smoke detector was found inside, but it is unclear if it was in working condition, according to reports.
Metal bars cover all the windows, and may have prevented the victims escaping, said officials.Metal bars cover all the windows, and may have prevented the victims escaping, said officials.
"Our whole city is in mourning for the loss of much of one family," said Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland."Our whole city is in mourning for the loss of much of one family," said Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland.
"It's a very sad day.""It's a very sad day."