2 children killed in house fire in Tulare County, officials say

TULARE COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- Two children have died following a house fire in Tulare County Tuesday morning.

Fire officials say the flames broke out at a home on Guthrie near Bruce Drive before 4:30 am Tuesday.

When crews arrived, they found heavy smoke and discovered that some family members were still inside the home.

Officials say two young disabled girls, identified by family as 7-year-old Bobby Jean Floyd and 9-year-old Josie Floyd, were declared dead at the scene.

The girls' father, 5-year-old brother, and 10-year-old sister suffered severe burns in the fire.

The children's mother suffered smoke inhalation, and all four remain in critical condition at the hospital.

A 13-year-old brother was also taken to the hospital to be checked out but is physically okay.

"It's one of the hardest things we've ever had to do. Seeing those babies there, lifeless. It was horrible," said James Hill.

His wife, Audrey Lewing, is the sister of the girls' mother.

Two children have died following a house fire in Tulare County on Tuesday morning.

Firefighters say the flames started in the back right corner of the home.

Family told Action News they believe the heater sparked the fire.

"They've complained about the heater. The floor furnace, they've had issues with it. Last year they had a fire in the electrical panel," said Hill.

Hill says the family had been renting the house for the last ten years.

Officials say there were no working smoke alarms inside the house.

State law requires property owners to install and maintain smoke alarms.

We tried calling the property management company, but the phone appeared to be disconnected.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

A GoFundMe has been started to help pay for funeral expenses.

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