UPDATE: TWO YOUNG CHILDREN KILLED IN FIRE
Monday, April 7th, 2008 -- 8:51 AM
Two young children died in a house fire northwest of Neillsville last night.Lattie Frenn, 1, and Qunita Frenn, 3, were trapped in an upstairs bedroom of their Town of Seif home.
Four adult family members were transported with burns and smoke inhalation due their initial attempts to rescue the children. One Neillsville firefighter was transported by ambulance with smoke inhalation. Their conditions are not known.
Three other children who resided at the house, ages 5, 7 and 10, were not injured.
The fire was reported at 11:22 p.m. Sunday night. Flames were already shooting out of an upstairs window by the time authorities arrived.
Deputies entered the home and attempted to gain entry to the bedroom, but it was completely engulfed in flames.
The fire is under investigation by the State Fire Marshal, Neillsville Fire Department, and the Clark County Sheriff's Department. It is standard procedure to investigate fatal fires, and doesn't necessarily mean it was suspicious in nature.
The Neillsville Fire and Ambulance Department, Greenwood Fire Department, Clark County Emergency Management, the Red Cross, along with neighbors who took care of the other children assisted at the scene.
Pattie Kelnhofer with the American Red Cross says they are helping the surviving members.
"We're dealing with nine individuals. The young mother and father were at the hospital because she had given birth on Friday to a new baby," Kelnhofer says, "We are working with the family to provide the immediate needs of food, clothing and shelter."
"This family has lost everything, absolutely everything."
The Greenwood School District is planning a collection to help the family. Details of which will likely become available tomorrow.
Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.