JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — An elderly woman has died and two children are in critical condition following a house fire Tuesday night on the Northside.
According to the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department, the fire happened in the 1500 block of 21st Street West at around 9:53 p.m.
Firefighters pulled three people from inside the home at the time of the fire, JFRD said. First responders took the three victims, described as two "very young" children under 10 years old and an elderly woman in her 70s, to the hospital.
According to an update from the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office around 1:30 Wednesday morning, the woman has since been pronounced dead at the hospital. The children are currently in critical condition, JSO said.
A neighbor called police to report the fire. No one was able to help before JFRD crews arrived due to a burglar bar on the door that firefighters had to remove before they could get in, JSO said.
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The fire was under control by 10:07 p.m.
The department has requested the State Fire Marshal's Office to investigate the fire.
JSO's Homicide Unit and Crime Scene Unit are also investigating. The cause of the fire is under investigation, but no foul play is suspected, according to JSO.
Anyone with information about the fire is asked to call JSO's non-emergency number at 904-630-0500 or email JSOCrimeTips@jaxsheriff.org. You can also remain anonymous by calling First Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS.
We ask for anyone with information related to the incident to please reach out to us by phone at 630-0500, by email at jsocrimetips@jaxsheriff.org, or though CrimeStoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS.