CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Two children were killed in an early morning house fire in Montgomery County. Their teenage brother was critically injured.
Officials with the Clarksville Fire Department said the incident happened around 4:15 a.m. Tuesday on Shelby Street in Clarksville.
Six people were inside the residence at the time of the fire, including Travis and Robin Howard, their three children and Robert Hampton, an 18-year-old friend who was visiting.
Nine-year-old Travis Howard, Jr. and 11-year-old Ann Howard died as a result of the blaze.
Their 14-year-old brother, Josh Phillips, was airlifted to Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s burn unit. He was said to be in critical condition with burns over 80 percent of his body.
Their parents and Hampton were able to make it out without injury.
"This morning for me was not good. I was the one that had to tell those parents their children had died. Not something I wanted to do," said Clarksville Fire Chief Ray Williams.
When crews arrived on the scene, heavy smoke and flames were seen coming from the home. The fire apparently started in the living room.
Fire officials said the cause of the blaze appeared to be either smoking or electrical related. At this point, they believe the home did not have working smoke detectors.
Chief Williams stressed the importance of having working smoke detectors inside homes.
"I'm quite sure there was not a working smoke alarm at this residence, the 11-year-old girl never did wake up. We found her in the bed," said Chief Williams.
Officials with the Tennessee Bomb and Arson unit also responded to the scene to assist with the investigation.
Tuesday morning's fire was the third fatal fire in Clarksville in the last week.
