Four children and one adult died in a house fire in Illinois early Wednesday.
The fire broke out in a two-story home in Des Plaines while an adult and the four children—all younger than 6—were on the second floor, WBBM-TV reports. Flames and heavy smoke was coming from the home when crews reached the scene and began rescue attempts.
The adult was pronounced dead at the scene. The children were taken to hospitals, where they were pronounced dead.
“This is a terible day, a tragic day for Des Plaines,” Des Plaines Fire Chief Dan Anderson told WBBM. “This is by far my worst day.”
A firefighter suffered a knee injury while battling the fire. Crews were able to contain the flames to the house, and the cause of the fire is under investigation.
