TX Grandma, Kids Trying to Stay Warm in Storm Die in Fire

Feb. 16, 2021
At least 12 deaths are being blamed on Winter Storm Uri, which caused major power outages and other issues across Texas, the South and other parts of the U.S.

A winter storm that ripped through large swaths of Texas, the South, the Midwest and East Coast is being blamed for contributing to the deaths of at least 12 people.

The severe weather conditions from Winter Storm Uri knocked out power for more than 4 million Texas customers who were still without electricity Tuesday morning, The Weather Channel reports. Large power outages were reported in southern, mid-Atlantic and northeastern states, too.

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The power outages led to water issues for Texas residents and fire departments. Houston was encountering low water pressure, while other communities, such as Fort Worth and Abilene, were told to boil water.  

Here's a look at some of the incidents connected with Winter Storm Uri:

TX Fire Leaves Grandma, Grandchildren Dead

A grandmother and three children died in a house fire in Sugar Land early Tuesday after the storm had kept them without power for around eight hours, KHOU-TV reports.

The fire broke out just after 2 a.m. in a home in the city's First Colony area. Because their neighborhood had been without electricity, the family had been using a fireplace to stay warm, and they might also have lighted candles, according to KTRK-TV.

A grandmother and her three elementary-age grandchildren were found dead inside the house. The children's mother and a friend were found by firefighters outside the home, and they suffered burns from the fire.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Kills Woman, Girl

A woman and girl in Houston died from carbon monoxide poisoning after a family tried to stay warm in a running car in an attached garage when they had no power early Tuesday, KHOU reports.

A man and a boy also were taken to the hospital following the incident.

A Harris County official told KRIV-TV that the fire marshal's office had received around 50 carbon monoxide calls during the storm.

San Antonio Firefighters Struggle with Ice, Frigid Conditions at Fire

San Antonio struggled with freezing conditions as they battled a fire that gutted a house late Monday, KSAT-TV reports.

The fire broke out at about 10 p.m. on the city's Northeast Side. Along with the frigid temperatures, ice created a challenge for crews trying to put out the flames.

The fire caused more than $200,000 in damages, and the house is considered a total loss, according to KSAT. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Fatal MO Snowplow Crash

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports that a 59-year-old man was killed when his pickup truck struck a snowplow just before 4:30 p.m. Monday near Sturgeon in Boone County.

TN Boy Dies after Falling in Icy Pond

A 10-year-old boy died after falling through an icy pond near Millington Sunday, the Commercial Appeal reports. His 6-year-old sister, who also fell into the water, was taken to the hospital in critical condition.

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