The Associated Press
SULPHUR SPRINGS, Ark. — A fire in a home just four houses away from a volunteer fire station killed two young children, authorities said.
Kayla Gomez Ratledge, 8, and Jacob Hawkins Ratledge, 5, were killed in the blaze, which started in their bedroom around 1 a.m. Tuesday, fire officials said.
Benton County sheriff’s investigator Richard Feast said the fire is believed to be accidental. Fire Chief Bob Rushing said he and his firefighters “didn’t have a fighting chance.”
The children’s mother, Shanna Ratledge, broke a bedroom window with her hands to try and reach them. A helicopter flew her to Northwest Medical Center in Bentonville, where she underwent surgery for the cuts on her arm and was treated for burns.
The children’s stepfather, JR Ratledge, also was treated for burns. Their 3-year-old brother, Leo Ratledge, survived, as well as another man who was living with the family.